Our sex lives are usually private and not openly discussed with strangers. You may feel that talking about sex will be embarrassing and difficult both for you and the health professionals you talk to. We hope that this section will help you to understand more about sexuality so that you are able to ask questions which relate directly to you and your situation. Difficulties in finding the right words to use can put people off starting the conversation. Often, when talking about sexual areas of our body we use slang words and unclear expressions. This can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. If you struggle to find the right words to describe sexual organs or sexual activity, you may find it helpful to note the words used in this article. You could also speak to your doctor or nurse. Embarrassment can make us feel tongue-tied and stop us saying what we want to. One way to reduce the embarrassment may be to write down all your questions in advance and then discuss them, or show the list to someone who may be able to give you answers.

It can often be difficult to bring up the subject of sexuality in an appointment with your doctor, but most doctors are used to dealing with this subject and should be able to answer your questions. Your GP or hospital doctor can discuss these issues with you. Many hospitals have specialist nurses who can answer any questions that you have. If you do not want to talk to anyone face to face, there are many confidential helplines with staff who can help you. Sometimes the anonymity of a helpline can help you to talk about issues that you may find difficult to discuss face to face. Sexuality is an important part of many people’s lives and it can be very reassuring to discuss any problems that you have. Medical staff may not think to ask you whether your cancer or its treatment are affecting your sexuality. However they would be happy to refer you for counselling or specialist treatment if they are unable to answer your questions.