Web Exclusive: Sexuality and Intimacy Resources

Issues with sexuality and intimacy often affect cancer patients at some point either during or after treatment. There are several resources patients and caregivers can access for more information, including the ones below:

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American Cancer Society

addresses sexual side effects of different cancer treatments, ways for patients to relieve symptoms, and what partners can do to help in “Coping with Physical and Emotional Changes: Sexuality.”

The American Cancer Society

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Breastcancer.org

The organization’s “Sex and Intimacy” section offers a series of educational articles that covers the challenges facing breast cancer patients and their partners. Topics include communicating with your partner, dealing with sexuality as a single woman, self-image issues, and loss of libido.

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LIVESTRONG.org

Patients and survivors can find information on sexual dysfunction as result of cancer treatment, including symptoms, emotional and physical causes, and management, at LIVESTRONG.org’s “Physical Effects of Cancer: Sexual Dysfunction.”

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National Health Service Pan-Birmingham Cancer Psychology Services

The booklet, Intimacy & Sexuality for Cancer Patients and their Partners, created by the United Kingdom’s NHS explores the biological and psychological elements of sexuality for cancer patients and partners.

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Prostate Cancer Foundation

Under its “Side Effects: Erectile Dysfunction” section, the PCF offers information on the potential causes, management, and treatment of erectile dysfunction.

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Women’s Cancer Network

The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation’s WCN offers information in “Sexuality and Intimacy: During and After Cancer Treatment,” including Sex 101 and The Mind-Body Effect.

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Professional Organizations

There are a number of professional organizations that offer counseling and resources to cancer patients and survivors and their partners on sexuality and intimacy issues, including The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, and the National Association of Social Workers.