Sex and Cancer: Who can I talk to?

It is important that you have the opportunity to ask any questions and receive information about sexual health and wellbeing in a way that is helpful to you. 

You can talk to your doctors, nurses or therapeutic radiographers about sexual health and relationships. If necessary your cancer care team can refer you to someone who has specific expertise in this area, often referred to as a psychosexual therapist (see section: Psychosexual Therapy). 

It may be that you do not feel comfortable speaking to your medical team about sex. If this is the case, it can help to speak with friends or family to help build your confidence and how to advocate for your needs. You can even bring them with you to your appointment for support. 

You can also join our peer support to have these conversations with other LGBTIQ+ cancer patients. Our groups are inclusive and support frank discussions about our needs as individuals and as a community.

Your cancer care team may ask you if you are sexually active at different points during your treatment. This is because they want to ensure that you are getting the best care for all aspects of your health. They also want you to have the right information and feel supported in this important area of your life.

If you feel able to do so, discussing the different types of sexual activity that you enjoy and that are important to you can help the team to provide you with more personalised care during your treatment.

If you are sexually active, they may encourage you to have a sexual health screen. It is best to do this when advised so that if you do have any kind of sexually transmitted infection (STI), it can be treated so that it doesn’t interfere with your cancer treatment or cause any further complications.