When being diagnosed with cancer and facing treatment may reactivate childhood sexual trauma

Being diagnosed with cancer and coping with treatment can lead an individual to face major stress and reveal sexual abuses suffered in childhood. The study of five clinical cases centered on discourse, non-verbal behavioural patterns as well on defense mechanisms will demonstrate the extent to which undergoing treatment combined with the reemergence of childhood sexual trauma constitutes a dual punishment that may lead to failure in care. Bodily violation associated with treatment can reactivate repressed sexual trauma and cause major psychic suffering. This clearly exposes the necessity of early detection for psychological distress and multidisciplinary care which should include an oncosexology consultation adapted to the patient's specific needs.