Perception of Sexuality and Body Image among Breast and Cervical Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Post-diagnosis breast cancer survivors and survivors of cervical cancer are more likely to face severe psychological and emotional consequences that involves body image and their sexual disruption. Surgical treatments including mastectomy, hysterectomy, and radiation, and chemotherapy can have profound and devastating psychological impacts on women, their femininities, desirability, and sex lives. These shifts provide distress, shame, and intimacy problems, thus affecting the entire quality of life. The survivors are often reported to feel unattractive, unacceptable by partners and of low self-worth, exacerbated by the cultural stigmatisation and the lack of clinical concern about secondary sexual health in the post treatment period. This evidence-based review paper summarates what is currently understood about the psychosocial aspects of sexuality and body image in female cancer survivors. The research selected peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025 and reviewed them in various databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO. The major findings include the definition of the impression received by the survivors not only by the physical modifications but also by the work of interpersonal relationships and limitations of social reintegration. The research notes the necessity of holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive activities that focus on emotional regulation, talking with a partner, and body acceptance. It further highlights the necessity to include the aspects of sexuality and body image counseling in the survivorship care plans. It is paramount to address such issues and concerns to optimize psychosocial recovery and resiliency, as well as regain a feeling of identity and intimacy in cancer survival.