Sexuality after breast cancer - surviving breast cancer as a couple

• Published in: Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift Vol. 160; no. 7-8; pp. 182 - 185
• Main Authors: Traun-Vogt, Gabriele, Herdina, Peter F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Austria 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Austria; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Breast Neoplasms - rehabilitation; Cooperative Behavior; Defense Mechanisms; Female; Gender Identity; Humans; Interdisciplinary Communication; Male; Marital Therapy - methods; Object Attachment; Patient Care Team; Psychoanalytic Therapy - methods; Self Concept; Sexual Behavior; Survivors - psychology; Austria
• ISSN: 1563-258X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10354-010-0774-5

Being struck by the disease breast cancer usually implies a deep impact on the sexual life of the afflicted couples. In experiencing this crisis anxieties concerning treatment, surgery, chronic diseases and death predominate and push all thoughts of sexuality to the background. All energy is applied to cope with the medical problems. Thus ideas on sex appear to be non-appropriate and tend to be postponed to the undefined future. The following paper begins with a grid showing developments of gender-specific attitudes in relation to medical treatment. Next we would like to introduce: "The Model of Sexual Re-Bonding after Breast Cancer". This psycho-dynamic model was developed in our therapy sessions with breast cancer patients and their partners over the last decade. It offers patients and their partners - as well as (psycho-) oncological professionals - the opportunity to share congruent and incongruent views and attitudes towards sexuality as treatment progresses, shows when and how conflicts may arise and how to cope with them.