Sexual Health Toolkit

Despite this, Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s 2020 National Needs Assessment of Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer found that most young women in treatment report that they never discussed sexual side effects with their medical team. There are many reasons patients may be reluctant to bring up the topic of sex, and in more than two-thirds of cases where there was a discussion of sexual side effects, a healthcare provider was the one to open that discussion.

LBBC is committed to helping young people navigate the complex ways in which breast cancer impacts their lives and to providing healthcare providers the education and resources to address their patients’ unmet needs. On this page you will find a collection of resources to help you speak to patients about sexual health and address some of the most common questions and concerns they may face. You’ll also find resources to share with your patients as well as links to external organizations.

Resources for your patients

Take a look at these resources and select those that would be most helpful to your patients. Share links to articles, downloadables, videos, and blogs about sexual health.

Sexual side effects of breast cancer

Our page for patients covers the various ways breast cancer treatment can affect sexual health, along with practical information on finding help and support for women who are dealing with these effects.

Time to read: 7 minutes

LGBTQ+: Body image, sexuality, and family planning
Information tailored for LGBTQ+ people on the challenges of dealing with sexual health effects and related issues including body image and fertility.

Time to read: 8 minutes

Menopausal symptoms
Some breast cancer treatments can cause changes in estrogen levels that lead to menstrual cycles becoming irregular, pausing, or stopping. Even if you went through menopause naturally before treatment, treatment can bring new symptoms. Learn more about how to manage symptoms, including those that impact sexual health.

Time to read: 10 minutes

Sensation after mastectomy

For many people, sensation loss after mastectomy is a side effect no one warned them about, deeply affecting quality of life. In this article, three breast cancer thrivers share their personal journeys through loss, healing, and the hope of nerve reconstruction. Learn how new surgical options have helped these thrivers restore touch, intimacy, and confidence.

Time to read: 8 minutes

Sex, intimacy, and breast cancer video series (below)

Length: Each video is approximately 5 minutes or less

Form

Fill out our form if you would like to download the sexual health sign and/or provide feedback on the Toolkit. Click one or both of the boxes below, then the fields for you to complete will be visible. Once you click submit, it will take a few seconds to process.