The impact of cancer can touch every part of our lives, but many people with cancer report that the impact that is rarely discussed is that on sex, pleasure, intimacy, relationships and dating. The experiences, treatments and changes that we go through are so layered in terms of the physical, emotional and psychological and it's impossible to separate the different parts out as we are in constant relationship between our bodies and how we think and feel about them, and this is something that cancer can completely hijack, which can have huge implications when it comes to sex and intimacy. 

Someone who has personally experienced this is Lauren Mahon, who after being diagnosed with breast cancer in her early thirties has become a tireless campaigner for breast cancer awareness through her online community Girls vs Cancer and as one of the hosts of the award winning podcast You, Me And The Big C with her great friends the late Dame Deborah James and Rachel Bland. Lauren is an advocate for talking about all aspects of cancer, and when it comes to the topic of sex lives she launched the Get F*cked campaign through Girls Vs Cancer which is helping to offer some guidance and resources to those who feel like they don't know where to start with getting to know themselves sexually again, both physically and emotionally through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

This conversation covers so much, and Lauren openly goes into how cancer has shaped her sex life and relationships, from first discovering the lump which she would then find out was cancer during a self-pleasure session, through to how she shares that she had cancer when she's dating, and how her expectations and non-negotiables for sex have changed. 

Follow Lauren on Instagram at @IAmLaurenMahon

This series has been brought to you by the luxury sexual wellness brand Lelo, who are offering listeners 30% off all Lelo products purchased on BeautyBay.com  Use the code KMOYLE30 until 11.59pm on 31st December 2024.

The Sexual Wellness Sessions is hosted by Kate Moyle, a Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Certified Psycho-Sexologist, and author of The Science Of Sex : Every Question About Your Sex Life Answered.

Follow Kate on Instagram at @KateMoyleTherapy

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast, and always seek the advice of your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider.