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Cancer Doesn't Care - Pelorous

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The Effects of <strong>Cancer</strong> on Relationship and Intimacy<br />

The Natalie Shipman Memorial Lectures<br />

Chai clients come to see us from diagnosis onwards<br />

and naturally their most important objective is to get<br />

the cancer into remission. However, once that has been<br />

achieved they may need help to learn how to carry on<br />

with their lives.<br />

<strong>Cancer</strong> and the treatment for cancer can have a<br />

devastating effect on peoples’ lives, both physically<br />

and mentally. The surgery and the chemotherapy drugs<br />

can have an adverse impact too. A patient’s<br />

perception of their own body image may change and<br />

this in itself can alter their relationship with their partner,<br />

and cause distress to both of them. Talking about<br />

intimacy in such circumstances can sometimes be<br />

embarrassing, or difficult, and make either or both of<br />

the partners feel awkward.<br />

Health professionals may not think to ask their patient<br />

whether their cancer treatment is impacting upon their<br />

relationship with their partner, and may be unaware<br />

that it is affecting the patient’s state of mind. Whilst the<br />

physical symptoms of the cancer and its treatment can<br />

be dealt with by those health professionals, the<br />

emotional symptoms need to be separately understood<br />

and addressed.<br />

It can often be hard for a couple to find the right words<br />

to use when starting to talk about their physical<br />

relationship. People then put off dealing with their<br />

feelings, and talking about intimacy with their partner,<br />

as it can feel like their privacy is being invaded.<br />

Communication is essential for any relationship to work,<br />

and Chai can help a patient and their partner to think<br />

about how best to keep it going. It is therefore<br />

important to be able to talk about this matter<br />

confidentially, with an independent, professional<br />

person, in order to help the patient and their partner<br />

avoid letting the cancer destroy the intimacy in their<br />

relationship.<br />

“Whilst the physical<br />

symptoms of the cancer<br />

and its treatment can<br />

be dealt with by health<br />

professionals, the emotional<br />

symptoms need to be<br />

separately understood<br />

and addressed”<br />

Chai has professional counsellors, trained specifically<br />

in relationship and intimacy issues, who support<br />

patients and their partners through the difficult period<br />

in complete confidence. One of our counsellors, who<br />

has a degree and diploma in psychology, specialises<br />

in issues relating to intimacy. She lectures internationally<br />

to both experienced professionals and post-graduate<br />

students on the issues that particularly impact on<br />

intimacy within relationships.<br />

We are fortunate to have additional counsellors who<br />

work with relationship issues and also specialise in issues<br />

relating to intimacy.<br />

Our counsellors have been able to utilise those skills in<br />

helping numerous clients and their partners through the<br />

difficulties brought on by cancer and its treatment.<br />

The Natalie Shipman Memorial Lectures are held in<br />

memory of Natalie Shipman z”l who passed away just<br />

before her 8th birthday. Natalie was the daughter of<br />

Chai’s co-founder Susan Shipman.<br />

2009<br />

The 20th lecture was for the first time held in<br />

Manchester at Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Professor<br />

Albert Singer, Consultant Gynaecologist travelled from<br />

London especially to again chair this annual event. The<br />

auditorium was full to hear Professor Gordon Jayson talk<br />

about The Latest Developments in the Treatment of<br />

Ovarian <strong>Cancer</strong>.<br />

Professor Jayson is a Professor of Medical Oncology at<br />

Christie, and has a particular interest in biological<br />

research, leading clinical trials for the Paterson Institute<br />

and <strong>Cancer</strong> Research UK. He highlighted the risk factors<br />

for women and spoke about awareness of signs that<br />

may lead to early detection. Professor Jayson went on<br />

to speak about new treatments and ongoing research,<br />

Prof. Albert Singer, Susan Shipman & Prof. Gordon Jayson<br />

and explained some of the challenges involved in<br />

treating ovarian cancer. The lecture culminated with a<br />

variety of questions from the audience, which were<br />

posed anonymously.<br />

2010<br />

Living With and Beyond <strong>Cancer</strong><br />

Keynote Speaker – Dr Adrian Tookman<br />

Consultant in Palliative <strong>Care</strong> Medicine, Medical<br />

Director of Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust and<br />

Director of Marie Curie Hospice Hampstead<br />

Monday 11th October 2010<br />

Chai <strong>Cancer</strong> <strong>Care</strong> Centre<br />

144-146 Great North Way, London NW4 1EH<br />

Admission free by ticket only.<br />

Please call Vicky Brown to book your place<br />

on 020 8202 2211.<br />

42 20 years of cancer support in the community<br />

20 years of cancer support in the community 43

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