Body image and sex

Cancer and its treatment affect your body image. You may feel sad, angry or worried about any changes to your body.  

You may have side effects of treatment that can make you feel self-conscious or affect your confidence. It can be difficult to stop thinking and worrying about how you look or what other people think. People of any age or gender can feel differently about their body with or after cancer.  

Here are some things that might help: 

• Talking about how you feel can help you cope. You could talk to someone close to you or you could speak to your specialist nurse  
• Spending time around people who make you feel good about yourself can boost your confidence 
• You may find it useful to look in the mirror and focus on the parts of your body you do like
• You could also write down reasons you like your body or reasons you are grateful for it 

If you have a stoma, you may have strong feelings about the sudden and significant change to your body. Your stoma care nurse specialist can help you to adapt to your new body. Remember that family, friends and healthcare professionals are there to help you. 

It can take time to get used to managing your stoma. Your stoma care nurse specialist can help you with any worries you may have. Having a stoma should not stop you doing the things you enjoy. Lots of shops and companies sell underwear, swimwear and other products for people with stomas that can help you feel more comfortable. 

Lots of people post on social media about living with a stoma. Some people find comfort by following their journeys. 

Our stoma support Facebook group is a supportive place for those who either have a stoma or are considering one as treatment for bowel cancer. The group is a safe space to ask questions, share experiences and give and receive support. 

Sexual function

Cancer and its treatment affects your emotions and relationships. This can lead to issues with intimacy and sex. If you want to be sexually active or want to start a new relationship, there are professionals who can help.  

Many people find it embarrassing to talk about their sex lives but your healthcare team are used to answering questions and talking openly about sexual matters and want to help. 

Whether or not you have a partner, a psychosexual therapist can also help you to understand and come to terms with any sexual problems. 

Surgery and radiotherapy for rectal cancer can cause long-term problems getting an erection and problems with ejaculation. These problems may get worse a few years after radiotherapy finishes. 

Possible treatments include tablets that increase blood supply to the penis, injections to help you get an erection, pellets that you insert into the end of the penis, vacuum pumps and penile implants. The success of the treatment will depend on whether the nerves or blood supply to the penis have been affected by the cancer treatment.  

Surgery and radiotherapy can cause narrowing and shortening of the vagina. This can make sex difficult and painful. Radiotherapy can also cause dryness of the vagina but lubricants can help with this. Regular sex or using a dilator after you’ve completed radiotherapy may help reduce the risk of vaginal narrowing. 

Some chemotherapies and radiotherapies affect how the ovaries work. This can reduce the amount of hormones the ovaries produce and lead to early menopause. Symptoms of the menopause can affect your sex life and how you feel about sex. Symptoms might include:  

• loss of interest in sex (low libido) 
• vaginal dryness 
• hot flushes and sweats 
• mood swings 
• trouble sleeping

If you feel you need help with any sexual problems, ask your GP or healthcare team to refer you to a sexual health specialist or psychosexual therapist. 

More information

Visit our online community to talk about your experiences, share knowledge and get support from other people 

The Colostomy UK website has a list of companies that sell products for people with a stoma. 

Macmillan Cancer Support provides information on how cancer treatment affects the way your body looks, works or feels.  

Shine Cancer Support offers videos and podcasts with advice on sex and relationships for people living with cancer. 

Menopause and Cancer give support and advice to people going through the menopause brought about through cancer treatment.  

Relate.org give advice for couples about talking about their relationship. They can provide counselling and psychosexual therapy.  

OUTpatients provide information about all aspects of sex for anyone with cancer.  

Updated June 2025 

Next review June 2028