The Older Adult with Cancer

An "older" adult (those 55 years and older) often faces many prejudgments about their sexuality such as; 1) they are not capable of sexual activity, 2) if they are that old and ill, they must not be thinking sexually, or 3) they are not interested in any information about sex and/or their sexuality. Young healthcare workers often feel very uncomfortable when they see those older than themselves kissing or fondling each other and don't think (or try not to) about their parents or grandparents having sex. Therefore, you may receive even less information from your healthcare provider about sexual issues than the younger cancer population.

Sexual style or manner among seniors may not always center on intercourse. You may be more interested in the companionship that comes with touching, cuddling and closeness. An American Association for Retired Persons² study, during a 6 month period of time, with 1,384 Americans 45 years of age and older reported that, men and women with partners engaged about once a week in kissing and hugging (85% & 86% respectively), sexual touching or caressing (76% & 73% respectively), and sexual intercourse (52% & 55% respectively). However, it is also important to realize that another study conducted by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) found that 30 percent of women and over half of men 70 years and older "engaged in sexual activity once a month or more during the past year".²⁵ Finally, the AARP/Modern Maturity Sexuality Study acknowledged that a satisfying sexual relationship is important to quality of life for 44 percent of women and half of the men 75 years and older.² While you and your partner may continue to be interested in an active sexual relationship, other kinds of sexual expression may have to be entertained if disability or serious illness occurs, but sharing an intimate moment can promote an "alive" feeling that helps keep you young at heart.