Breast Cancer: Shay's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Shay Martin is a breast cancer survivor whose work in sexual wellness shaped how she talks about intimacy after treatment. As president and owner of Vibratex, she brings both personal experience and product knowledge to a topic many survivors find difficult to raise: reconnecting with pleasure, confidence, and the body after cancer. Breast cancer treatment can change sensation, energy, body image, scars, and comfort with touch. For some people, those changes affect partnered intimacy; for others, the first step is rebuilding trust with their own body. Shay's story makes space for that private part of recovery without shame. She encourages survivors to explore what feels good, use tools that support comfort and curiosity, and treat pleasure as part of whole-person healing rather than something separate from survivorship. Her perspective also reminds patients that sexual health conversations can be practical, gentle, and empowering, not embarrassing. As of November 2024, Shay was using her survivor experience and leadership in sexual wellness to help people affected by breast cancer feel more connected, informed, and confident in their bodies and relationships. Her work also helps normalize asking for practical support, whether that means education, products, pelvic-health referrals, or more open conversations with clinicians and partners.