It’s important that you and your partner continue to be open with each other about how you’re feeling. After cancer treatment is over, your partner may expect things to be the same as they were before treatment. It can sometimes be difficult for a partner or other close friends to come to terms with the fact that you need time to recover and adjust to life after treatment.

Share your feelings, hopes, fears and concerns. Talk about the things you still find difficult and make plans for the future together.

If you’re having difficulties in your relationship after treatment is over, you may like to see a counsellor or other trained professional together or separately.

More information for partners is available in the Living with cancer section.

Sexuality and intimacy

Physical and emotional changes after cancer can affect how you feel about your sexuality and intimacy.

After treatment, you might have scars or other body changes from surgery, or weight gain or hair loss from other types of treatment. These changes can affect your self-esteem and body image. Sexuality and intimacy are also affected by your mood and how well you are feeling.

Living with cancer has more information about how cancer can affect your sexuality and intimacy, including possible effects on your sex life, regaining sexual confidence, the impact of cancer on your partner and how they can help, and starting a new relationship after cancer.