This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Half of women face sexual difficulties after breast cancer
New statistics from Breast Cancer Now show that nearly half of women have experienced sexual difficulties as a result of treatment for breast cancer.
In a new UK survey of over 1,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 10 years, carried out by YouGov, 46 per cent of women said they had experienced sexual difficulties as a result of breast cancer treatment, including vaginal dryness, pain and loss of libido.
Furthermore, 34 per cent who experienced sexual difficulties reported that they needed support but didn’t ask their hospital team or GP for it, with more than half putting this down to being too embarrassed. Other reasons those surveyed gave included wasting the time of hospital staff GP (45 per cent); not knowing who to ask (40 per cent); and concerns it would be dismissed (29 per cent).
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK with around 55,000 women and 370 men being diagnosed every year. The charity is working with Ann Summers to help start the conversation about issues related to sex and intimacy after a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, 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.”
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