Daily Life

Intimacy and Sexual Health

Living with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) can affect your sex life and relationships. You may notice changes in your body, your emotions, or how you feel about yourself. These challenges are common, and support is available.

How Treatment Can Affect Your Sexual Health

Cancer treatment can cause physical and emotional changes that affect your sexual health. You may experience:

• Pain or tenderness in parts of your body
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex
• Less interest in sex (low libido)
• Menopause-like symptoms such as hot flashes or mood changes

Up to 80% of people with mBC say the disease has affected their sexual lives. If this is something you are going through, talk to your healthcare team. They may suggest things like medications, lubricants, pelvic floor therapy, or other ways to help you feel more comfortable.

Body Image and Confidence

Cancer and its treatment can change how your body looks and feels. You might have:

• Scars from surgery
• Skin changes from radiation
• Hair loss or weight changes
• Ongoing tiredness

These changes can affect your self-esteem and how you see yourself. You might feel less attractive or unsure about being intimate. These feelings are valid, and it is normal to need time to adjust. You might find it helpful to talk to a loved one, counsellor, or social worker to work through your emotions and rebuild confidence.

Talking with Your Partner

It is not always easy to talk about sex and intimacy. Some people feel comfortable having these conversations, while others do not and that is okay. Intimacy is not just about sex. It can also mean closeness, hugs, and emotional connection.

If you are having trouble talking with your partner, a counsellor or therapist can help you both feel more comfortable. Open and honest communication can help reduce misunderstanding, support your emotional connection, and find new ways to be intimate together.

Starting a New Relationship

Dating while living with mBC can bring up a lot of questions, such as:

• When should I tell someone about my cancer?
• What will they think?
• How will side effects from treatment affect dating or sex?
• Will I live long enough to pursue this relationship?
• Will they want to become my caregiver?

There is no right or wrong way to handle these questions. Trust your instincts and go at your own pace. A caring partner will want to support you. You can also check out the Young Survival Coalition’s Metastatic Navigator (see page 90) for more tips on dating and relationships.

Getting Support

If you are struggling with intimacy or your sexual health, you do not have to go through it alone. Some helpful resources include:

• Look Good Feel Better Canada: A program that helps people with cancer feel more confident about their appearance
• Peer support groups or mentors: Connecting with others who have faced similar challenges can offer helpful tips, emotional support, and validation
• Psychosocial oncology department at your cancer: A social worker at your cancer centre can help you explore available community resources, counselling, or support programs in your area

The Canadian Cancer Society has a database that can be used to find local support services in your area. You can access it below:

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