The effects of cancer on body image and sexuality.

A diagnosis of cancer immediately threatens body image. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery can alter considerably a person's body image. This can have serious effects on the sexuality of cancer patients but these effects, for reasons to be discussed, are frequently dismissed by health professionals. It is argued that if they ignore their patients' sexuality, nurses are failing to deliver holistic care. This paper discusses the key effects of radical treatment on body image and the role nurses may play as counsellors.