How breast cancer can affect intimacy

Being diagnosed with breast cancer and having treatment will almost certainly affect how you feel about sex and intimate relationships.

You may not feel like having sex or being intimate at a time when you’re dealing with breast cancer, or you may find that sex helps you feel more normal during an uncertain time.

How breast cancer affects you sexually will be unique to you, but these pages may offer useful tips and information.

Coping with changes to sex and intimate relationships

couple holding hands

Intimate relationships and breast cancer

If you’re in a relationship, you may find that it changes after a breast cancer diagnosis. Or you may be worried about starting a relationship in the future.

Radiotherapy side effects

Sex and the effects of breast cancer treatment

Treatments for breast cancer can have physical and emotional effects such as pain and sensitivity, and menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness.

A woman looking concerned

Getting back to sex after breast cancer

You may be anxious about your first sexual experience following your diagnosis, or worried things won't be the same as before.

woman looking in mirror

Changes to your body

Any changes to your body (for example hair loss, and changes following surgery) can affect your confidence and feelings about yourself. This can affect how you feel about sex, how you relate to a partner or how your partner relates to you.

Find out more

Sex and intimacy: your stories

Darlaine

My partner stopped paying me attention after my diagnosis

Photograph of Emi from her photoshoot

I used to feel ashamed of my body – now I’m proud of it

image of woman looking sad

I'm scared of sex after breast cancer

Becca app

Find more support with our Becca app

Becca gives you strategies, hints and tips to address concerns around sex, intimacy and body image.

Try Becca