Sexualidad, cuerpo y duelo: experiencia clínica con mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer ginecológico o de mama

Abstract

Diagnosis with gynecological or breast cancer obliges patients to deal with organic and psychological
consequences which are particular to an illness which affects parts of the body which are full of subjective and
cultural significance. Based on the formalization of 15 years of clinical experience with patients who suffer
from this illness, this article proposes a reflection within the framework of psycho-oncology, on the psychic
effects that these types of cancer have on patients. Areas highlighted are the concepts of sexuality, body and
grief, and based on these, the proposal is that these cancers and their treatment produce multiple losses which
can bring about affective reconstruction and give a new meaning to life. In some cases, patients focus on pain
as a way of not giving up what they have lost.