More than medicine: Love and Intimacy Through Cancer
Written by Lila Mikels
Understanding Sexuality and Intimacy for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer
A cancer diagnosis is life-changing. For women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), it doesn’t just affect physical health; it can impact relationships, emotional well-being, and even intimacy. Despite how critical these issues are, sexual health and communication are often overlooked in advanced cancer care.
That’s why researchers at the University of Connecticut, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, are exploring a vital question: how do women with MBC navigate sexual concerns within their relationships?
Why This Research Matters
Maintaining intimacy is a key aspect of quality of life for patients with metastatic cancer. For couples, managing cancer is a shared journey that involves constant communication and adaptation. Conversations about sex are often among the most important topics couples face after treatment decisions. Yet, research shows that patients with advanced cancers rarely have these needs assessed, and discussions about sexuality are often avoided by healthcare professionals.
Even in the face of serious illness, patients with metastatic cancer continue to have sexual needs and desires. In fact, for many, the desire for intimacy may become even stronger given the limited time and emotional intensity of a terminal diagnosis. Couples often redefine sexuality, focusing on closeness and connection through non-sexual forms of intimacy such as holding, caressing, and other expressions of affection.
The Study’s Goals
The University of Connecticut research team is taking a close look at how communication influences sexual well-being for women with MBC. The study has three main aims:
Identify communication themes: Understanding how women with MBC talk about sexuality with their partners.
Link communication to well-being: Exploring how specific communication styles affect sexual satisfaction, relationship quality, and overall well-being.
Assess feasibility for partners’ participation: Testing the practicality of including partners in conversations about sexuality to gain a fuller picture of couples’ experiences.
The study will collect both quantitative and qualitative data through an online survey of 82 MBC patients. By analyzing validated scales alongside open-ended responses, researchers aim to identify the types of communication that facilitate or hinder intimacy and connection in these relationships.
Why This Matters for Couples
Effective communication can help women with MBC and their partners maintain closeness, reduce stress, and enhance overall quality of life. By understanding the ways couples navigate sexual intimacy during metastatic breast cancer, healthcare providers can develop better resources, training, and interventions. This research could ultimately help women and their partners sustain emotional and physical connection, even in the context of advanced illness.
How to Participate
Eligible participants are asked to complete a 45-minute online survey that includes both validated scales and open-ended questions. The survey explores health, sexuality, communication, and well-being. All responses are collected anonymously.
If you qualify and are interested in participating, please complete the brief 5-minute screening survey here: https://tinyurl.com/UConnMBCStudy
For questions, you can reach the study team at: CouplesCommAboutCancerStudy@uconn.edu
