Accounts of disruptions to sexuality following cancer: the perspective of informal carers who are partners of a person with cancer

Abstract

There is a growing body of research showing that cancer impacts upon the sexuality of informal carers in a couple relationship with a person with cancer. However, this research is primarily focused on partners of a person with gynaecological or breast cancer, within a framework where the physiological effects of cancer on sexual performance are the focus. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 informal carers in a couple relationship with a person with cancer, across a range of cancer types. The aim was to explore accounts of changes to sexuality and intimacy post-cancer, in the context of discursive constructions of sexuality and the caring role. Our findings show that partners' sexual experiences were shaped by absence of desire in the person with cancer; the stress and exhaustion associated with caring tasks; the repositioning of the person with cancer as childlike or as an asexual 'sick patient'; and the belief that there were expectations about 'acceptable' sexual conduct in the context of cancer caring. Carers accepted the diminishment of their sexual relationship, but expressed feelings of disappointment, anger and sadness about this loss. It is concluded that it is vital that support services are developed, so that couples may develop new sexual strategies, and cope more effectively with potential disruptions to their sexual and intimate relationship.

Changes to Sexual Well-Being and Intimacy After Breast Cancer

“…32,33 Couples living with cancer have reported communication problems or increased conflict and, in some instances, have attributed relationship breakdown to cancer, 34Y36 as was found in the present study. 32,33 Couples living with cancer have reported communication problems or increased conflict and, in some instances, have attributed relationship breakdown to cancer, 34Y36 as was found in the present study.…”

Feeling well and talking about sex: psycho-social predictors of sexual functioning after cancer

“…This supports the findings of a previous study conducted with men who had prostate cancer and their partners [39], and suggests that talking about sexual changes and concerns can play a major part in addressing difficulties. In this vein, in previous qualitative research conducted with partners of a person with cancer, sexual communication was identified as a key factor in sexual re-negotiation, allowing couples to discuss alternative forms of sexual intimacy in the face of physical changes experienced after cancer [82,107]. The importance of sexual communication in overcoming sexual difficulties and developing new sexual practices was also identified in accounts of men and women with cancer, and partners, in the qualitative component of the present study [113].…”

Information needs associated with changes to sexual well‐being after breast cancer

“…Data were collected over 14 days in December 2010, using the web based survey software Survey Monkey and consisted of a series of closed and open‐ended items constructed on the basis of insights from an extensive literature review, discussions with stakeholders and previous research conducted by the project team (Gilbert et al. 2009, Hawkins et al.…”