Alexandra Bakous was 35 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer in 2022, four days before Christmas.
Alexandra’s cancer was discovered during an MRI requested by her genetics specialist, after Alexandra’s father and aunt both tested positive for the BRCA2 gene. Alexandra had two surgeries, chemotherapy and oral medication for 12 months, but was able to avoid radiotherapy.
“During treatment and being on Zoladex did affect the intimacy with me and my husband,” Alexandra says. “I was also on medication to keep my ovaries asleep to protect them from damage during chemotherapy. It took a while for them to ‘wake up’ and return to somewhat normal status. I had to complete a round of IVF before starting chemotherapy, which only resulted in one viable embryo.”
Sexual health physician Dr Tonia Mezzini says breast cancer can raise questions around sex, intimacy, fertility, and family planning that many people hesitate to ask due to embarrassment, or feeling like they should simply be grateful to be alive. While there are written resources available, patients can often feel unheard.
“Research shows most patients are waiting for their clinicians to ask about their intimate life,” Dr Mezzini explains. “We need more capacity to train oncology nurses and GPs to help with these conversations about how cancer has affected their relationships.
“There’s a massive gap in cancer survivorship care in Australia. During their treatment, patients are in survival mode while they go through what can feel like a conveyor belt of cancer treatment, from chemotherapy and surgery to radiotherapy, which is done with efficiency, to ultimately save their lives. At the end of their treatment, these patients are sent back to their GPs, who often have no background in oncology and can’t easily answer these deeply personal questions.
“A cancer diagnosis affects partners and families too. It’s not only about physical sex, but also about intimacy and recalibrating those relationships. Patients also need more access to survivorship clinics, to have the space to tell their stories and be heard.”
Dr Mezzini is one of the panellists on Breast Cancer Trials’ upcoming Q&A – Sex, Fertility and Pregnancy, which will bring together a panel of leading experts alongside women with lived experience of breast cancer to explore how breast cancer intersects with sexual health and intimacy, reproductive choices and identity, while highlighting the critical role of research in improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Moderated by Author and Journalist, Annabel Crabb, and broadcast live from the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane, the event will create a safe and informative space to unpack the questions many people have, but don’t always feel comfortable asking.
The session will cover:
• Overcoming sex and intimacy challenges
• How treatments may impact fertility and family planning and what preservation options exist
• Common concerns and misconceptions about pregnancy after breast cancer
• Emotional wellbeing and identity
The Q&A will be held at the State Library of Queensland on Tuesday 28 July from 5:30-7:00 PM (AEST), and also broadcast live on Breast Cancer Trials’ website.
About us:
Founded in 1978, Breast Cancer Trials conducts a multicentre national and international clinical trials research program into the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. Every breast cancer treatment available today has been proven through clinical trials research. The work of Breast Cancer Trials has improved the treatment of breast cancer, led to changes in the way breast cancer is managed and has saved thousands of lives. More than 1,000 researchers in 118 institutions across Australia and New Zealand are committed to the vision of no more lives cut short.
Contact details:
Sara McGregor
Media & PR Lead
M: 0424 591 241
