Intimacy and Relationships
Our number one goal is to always help you feel empowered and supported, but it's no secret that breast cancer can cause emotional and physical changes. We know the hardship that follows suit with your changing body and the stress cancer puts on a relationship or family, but we're here to help!
Much like breast cancer journeys being unique, so is everyone's body. We hope you find this information helpful in how you speak to yourself.
Surgery may leave you with scars, weight gain may leave you with warrior stripes (also known as stretch marks), or chemotherapy may leave you with no hair. These are all a part of breast cancer, and while some effects might be temporary, it can still have an important effect on how you see your body. How you feel about your body may also affect how you relate to those around you, including a partner.
You may feel that you need to grieve over what's been lost, or you may need some extra time to adjust to your life and new body. Everybody is different when it comes to breast cancer and treatment, and we know that changes to your body can be extremely personal.
Helpful Resources
Videos
Informational Guides
Dating and New Relationships: During & After Cancer
Intimacy During and After Cancer Treatment
Talking with Your Children About Breast Cancer
Tips to Help Your Child Cope with Your Cancer Diagnosis
GBTP Blog: 10 Truths About Cancer & Relationships
Mom or Dad Has Cancer...Now What?
Helping Children Understand Cancer: Talking About Your Diagnosis
What Can I Say to a Newly Diagnosed Loved One?
Let’s face it; treatment for breast cancer takes a toll on a person’s body, both functionally and on self-image. Many talk openly about the myriad ways we see this impact, but intimacy always seems so taboo. Well, it’s time we talk about the pink elephant in the room…
Treatment for breast cancer can affect your self-image because of the ways it changes your body, but it also can impact the amount of estrogen in your body, so you may also be facing changes like vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, and painful intercourse. As treatments take a toll on your body, you may be wondering how intimacy is impacted or when it is ok to start being intimate again. This topic can be a little uncomfortable for some people to talk about, and we hope that this blog will help guide you through it.