RECLAIMING SEX &
INTIMACY AFTER BREAST
CANCER: PSYCHOSOCIAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Dr. Annette E. Brissett
Clinical Psychologist
Director, Houston Psychology
Consultants
October 11, 2014
Sisters Network Annual National African American Breast Cancer Conference
A Simple Question
SINGLE OR MARRIED?
Cohabiting couples are 5 times more likely
than singles to have SEX more frequently--at
least 3 times per week!!
OVERVIEW
• TALKING ABOUT SEX: TABOOS
• PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL
BARRIERS TO SEX AND INTIMACY
• BREAST CANCER & SEXUAL SELF
ESTEEM/BODY IMAGE
• COUPLES AND COMMON
PSYCHOSEXUAL ISSUES
• A MAN’S PERSPECTIVE
• HOW DO COUPLES RECONNECT
AFTER BREAST CANCER
• THE NEW NORMAL: CREATIVE
WAYS TO RECONNECT – BRINGING
SEXY BACK!!
• RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
MAINTAINING SEXUAL VITALITY IN
YOUR RELATIONSHIP
• HELPFUL RESOURCES
Let’s Talk about Sex
• Taboos
• Having a serious illness of any kind can affect your sex life
• 200,000+ new cases of breast cancer reported annually in U.S.
• Medical doctors/Oncologists concerned with saving your life
• Breast cancer can affect intimacy in your relationship
• National Cancer Institute study found 1:2 women report persistent
sexual dysfunction after undergoing treatment
Sexual Problems and Breast Cancer
A National Cancer Institute Study found
50 % of breast cancer survivors report
sexual concerns or problems after
undergoing Breast Cancer treatment
BARRIERS
Effects of
Treatment
VS.
Psychosocial
Factors
Barriers
• EFFECTS OF TREATMENT
• Medication
• Vaginal dryness
• Painful intercourse
• Chemotherapy
• Fatigue
• Radiation
• pain
• Surgery
• Pain
• Functional deficits
• Loss of sensational
• Changes in body image
Barriers
• PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS
• Emotional impact
• anxiety
• depressive symptoms
• Breast within our culture
• Endearing Characteristics
• Sexuality
• Sensuality
• negative feelings Body image/Sense of Self
SEXUAL SELF ESTEEM
• In our culture,
• Society puts emphasis on beauty and
perfection
• breasts often define who we are
• If you do not feel attractive before
Breast Cancer, you may struggle
with low self esteem and body
image issues after treatment.
• A change in shape or loss of ones
breast has major impact on selfesteem sense of self and body
image
• Having no breast or one breast or
limited sensation affects selfimage and creates feelings of
inadequacy and shame
Perceived unattractiveness can
affect ones sexual self esteem
• How you view yourself as a sexual
person serves to increase positive
sexual self esteem
PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL BARRIERS
• I am unhappy with my looks
• I miss my breast
• I am not sure I can ever be naked in
front of him again
• I don’t want to look at my scar
• I am alive but I feel sad and guilty
• I want to be touched
-breast cancer survivor
A Man’s Perspective
Sex, after Cancer-What’s That?
• Most Spouses don’t know how to
approach the subject of touch or sex
after breast cancer and may be
confused about intimacy and sex
• Struggles exist between wanting to
support wives and a desire to
demonstrate love
• Fear exists such as “will I harm my
wife” or will I cause her added pain
• Spouses may feel neglected or
rejected and may temporarily lose
their connection
Common Issues For Couples
• Depending on how strong or weak the relationship bond is prior to
diagnosis
• Partners fear they may be insensitive if desiring sexual intimacy
• Survivor may be interested in touch but not sexual intimacy
• When couples retreat sexually, touch may feel odd or
different after a long sabbatical
Sex is often low on the “Honey Do” list after Breast Cancer diagnosis
or treatment
Bringing Sexy
Back!
Redefine Intimacy
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
MAINTAINING SEXUAL VITALITY
• Make sex and intimacy a priority
• Consider sexual therapy – sensate focus
• Increase touch – it helps with coping/stress
reduction
• Seek psychological support/relationship counseling
• Keep lines of communication open and allow
partner into the trenches
• shift your focus away from breasts and identify
other sexual areas of the body
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING
SEXUAL VITALITY
• Use humor to diffuse stress
• Don’s be afraid to ask for what you need
• Relaxation skills
• meditation, prayer, exercise
• Love and accept your body
SUMMARY
• Breast Cancer affects your intimate relationship
• Physical and emotional factors affect intimacy
• Men and Women experience Effects of Breast
Cancer differently
• Embrace your body to increase self esteem
• Communicate openly and honestly
• Seek support
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Dr. Annette Brissett: www.houstonpsychologyconsultants.com
Sisters Network www.sistersnetwork.org
Breast Cancer Husband, by Marc Silver
The center for intimacy after cancer therapy inc. www.renewintimacy.org
Intimacy After Cancer: A woman’s Guide, by Kydd & Rowett
Look Good Feel Better Program, Baylor Facial Plastic Surgery Center
Your shoes 24 hr hotline / peer support www.networkofstrength.org
Thank You!