NCUK Virtual Patient Handbook

Partners As a partner of someone with cancer, you may find the diagnosis and treatment(s) distressing but may be reluctant to seek help because you feel you need to be ‘strong’. Partners may experience higher levels of stress: having someone you love be diagnosed with cancer is unlikely to be something you might have envisaged as part of your life plan: you may feel guilt, anger, resentment - at the impact cancer has had or may have on your life together. Many couples experience changes in the relationship when one person has cancer. These can include changes in roles and responsibilities, sexual health, intimacy, parenting, and plans for the future.

and there can be grieving for the way things were or for things that r treatment. Others are weakened. Nearly all couples feel more stress

Intimacy is an important part of a loving relationship. A welcomed touch, a shared glance, how we speak to and with each other - can be ways in which we can comfort each other - and show how we care. Sexuality is not just about the physical act of sexual intercourse or sexual expression, but it is also about how we perceive ourselves and our need to be loved and cared for by others.

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