Common questions about cancer and sex

No. Cancer cannot be passed on to a partner through sex.

No. Having sex does not increase the chance of cancer coming back.

It depends on the cancer treatment you had and the type of side effect. Some side effects are short‑term and get better slowly after you finish treatment. Others may last longer or sometimes become a long‑term problem. Remember, it is possible to improve most side effects or make them easier to cope with. Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse can give you more advice and support.

Your healthcare team want to support you and treat you in a way you feel comfortable with. There may be times when it helps them to know your gender identity or sexual orientation. It may help you feel better supported. It also means they can give the right information and support to you and to your partner if you have one.

You do not have to talk to them about this if you do not want to. It will not change your cancer treatment.

If you want to talk, but not to people you know, you can still get support. You may find it easier to talk to someone from your healthcare team privately. Or you may want to talk to someone from a support organisation.

Yes. Masturbating can be a good way to relax. It can help you get to know your body during and after treatment, and to find out what feels good for you. It does not cause cancer or make cancer grow.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a very common virus linked to some types of cancer, including cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) in women. The NHS currently offers vaccination injections to protect against HPV to children aged 12 to 13 (school year 8) and is available free on the NHS for all girls under 25 and boys born after 1 September 2006.

The NHS also offers HPV injections to men who have sex with men and to transgender people. Your GP or local sexual health service can give you more information. 

If you missed any of your HPV injections because of your cancer treatment, you may still be able to have them. They may not work as well if cancer treatment has affected your immune system. Ask your cancer doctor for advice about the best time to have your injections.

If you had your HPV injections before you had chemotherapy, you may be offered an extra booster dose after your treatment finishes.

If you had your HPV injections before you had a stem cell transplant, you may be able to have them again. Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse will give you information about having vaccinations after your treatment.

Cervical cancer can also be prevented by regular screening tests. From the age of 25, women and trans men who still have a cervix should have screening every few years.

You can have treatment and support to cope with any symptoms and the emotional effects of an early menopause. You can also have treatment to protect you from the long-term effects of the menopause. This can include thinning of the bones (osteoporosis)
and heart disease. 

You may be offered:

• support from your GP or a specialist who treats women who have had an early menopause
• treatment and advice to help you cope with symptoms
• hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or a type of hormonal contraceptive to prevent long-term effects.

Your doctor will explain the possible risks and benefits of any treatment to you. Some women cannot take HRT safely because of the type of cancer they have. Your doctor will tell you whether this treatment is suitable for you.