Stay in touch
We'd love to keep in touch about news, events and how you can get involved. To hear from us, please sign up below.
Over 150,000 women in the UK have experienced sexual difficulties, including vaginal dryness, pain and loss of libido, as a result of breast cancer treatment, a new survey by Breast Cancer Now suggests.1,2
In a new UK survey of over 1,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 10 years, carried out by YouGov, nearly half (46%) of women said they had experienced sexual difficulties as a result of breast cancer treatment.
A third (34%) who experienced sexual difficulties reported that they needed support but didn’t ask their hospital team or GP for it, with over half (54%) of these women saying this was because they were too embarrassed. Other reasons those surveyed gave include: I worried about wasting the time of my hospital team or GP (45%); I felt it was too trivial to raise (48%); I didn’t know who to ask (40%); I worried my concerns would be dismissed (29%).
The findings come as Breast Cancer Now and Ann Summers launch a new partnership to help start the conversation about issues related to sex and intimacy after a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK with around 55,000 women and 370 men being diagnosed every year.3
Following breast cancer treatment in 2018, which included a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapies, Keeley Russell, 42 from Hertfordshire, was too embarrassed to ask for help when faced with issues around sex and intimacy.
Keeley said:
“As soon as chemotherapy started, sex became unbelievably painful and my libido basically disappeared. However, because it’s such a taboo subject, I was too embarrassed to ask my GP for help even though I needed it. I finally ended up emailing him instead which still felt mortifying.
“Not really understanding what was going on made things much worse. My doctors had explained how treatment might affect my nails and hair, but no one mentioned how treatment could cause changes, like pain, and what that meant for me and my enjoyment of sex.
“Fortunately my sexual difficulties have started to improve slightly due to time, understanding and awareness but this is a long-term issue and support is essential.”
Lesley Lloyd, 57 from Kent, diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in July 2017, felt that no-one had mentioned to her how treatment, which included a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, might impact sex and intimacy. Lesley was in a relationship when she was diagnosed and has been single since December 2018.
She said:
“I noticed sex became painful after chemotherapy and, when I started experiencing bleeding too, I decided to get checked out. However, my gynaecologist told me that ‘it is what it is’ and I was made to feel I should be grateful the cancer had gone. I was shocked and felt dismissed.
“No-one told me anything about how treatment might impact sex and intimacy and my healthcare team offered limited support. Then when I met a group of women through Breast Cancer Now’s Forum and brought up sex, some said they had never spoken to anyone about their issues, and others said intimacy with their partners had completely disappeared.
“I thought to myself, I enjoy sex and really don’t want to lose it from my life, so I gradually improved things by experimenting with toys and having open, honest conversations with my partner at the time. However, now that I’m single, there are new challenges as the thought of explaining ongoing sexual issues from treatment is embarrassing and holding me back from meeting someone new.”
By combining world-class research and specialist support and information services, Breast Cancer Now is aiming to build a complete view of breast cancer, to bring more hope and make faster progress for everyone affected by the disease.
The partnership between the charity and Ann Summers aims to increase awareness of the impact that the side effects from breast cancer treatment can have on a woman’s sexual wellbeing, as well as encouraging and supporting conversation and discussion.
Additionally, the partnership aims to raise at least £100,000 over a year, for Breast Cancer Now’s life-changing support and world-class research, through the sales of a product range and other fundraising activities.
Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, the research and care charity, said:
“We know that for many people, breast cancer simply doesn’t end when they walk out of the hospital doors, as the side-effects from treatment can affect every facet of their lives for many years. These difficulties, including very personal issues around sex and intimacy, often go unspoken, with women not knowing where to turn, or being too embarrassed to ask for help.
“There are many challenges to improving sexual wellbeing for women affected by breast cancer, and one of the first steps is starting the conversation and supporting all women who have had a diagnosis to talk openly with their loved ones or health care professionals if they choose. That’s why we are delighted to be working with Ann Summers, to help highlight the scale of the issues many women are facing, as well as encouraging and supporting this important conversation.
“Anyone looking for support and information about breast cancer and sex can call our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000 to speak to one of our expert nurses.”
Jacqueline Gold, Chief Executive at Ann Summers, said:
“As women go through life their sexual desires and needs change but until now, nobody has had that conversation. Women’s sexual pleasure can be important to their mental and physical health but many still think they should be silent and feel embarrassed about it. But we all deserve sexual wellbeing.
“I am very proud that Ann Summers is partnering with Breast Cancer Now to specifically start the conversation about sex, intimacy and breast cancer. Having experienced breast cancer, this issue is particularly important to me - I know all too well the distressing impact diagnosis and treatment can have and how it can affect your confidence.
“Ann Summers has been the authority on female sexuality for fifty years, for millions of women in the UK. Working with Breast Cancer Now, I hope our combined expertise and voice will empower women with breast cancer to talk openly about their sexual wellbeing and seek the support they need.”
Ann Summers and Breast Cancer Now have launched a new partnership to help start the conversation about sex, intimacy and breast cancer. For support and information visit breastcancernow.org/intimacy or call the charity’s free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.
ENDS
For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact: Georgia Tilley on 020 3105 3360/07436 107914 or email press@breastcancernow.org
Notes to editors:
Additional survey findings:
About Breast Cancer Now: