Sexuality and feeling comfortable with your body

Many patients have difficulty with self-image and returning to an active sex life after treatment. This is especially true for female breast cancer patients, who can sometimes struggle to deal with the changes to their sexuality and how they look once treatment is over.

These are also the sort of issues that patients find hardest to cope with. The important thing is take your time and not to try to cope with these feelings on your own.

• Talk your feelings through with your partner, if you have one; sometimes poor communication is an issue and can be resolved simply by sharing your thoughts
• Sharing your concerns with someone close – whether your partner or a friend or family member - eases the burden
• Issues about sexuality and fertility could also be discussed with your doctor; they may be able to suggest some things that can help.

Most important of all is the feeling you can develop that you are able to make the most of your assets as a person and a woman. If these problems continue and medical treatment can’t change the effects, you might want to talk to a professional counsellor or psychologist.