Dutch journalist and author Marith Iedema is opening up about her experience with breast cancer and the surprising ways it has impacted her perspective on intimacy and sexuality. The diagnosis, received in 2021, has prompted a candid exploration of life, death, and the often-overlooked importance of pleasure even in the face of serious illness.
Iedema, known for her columns on love, relationships, and sex, shared her story in a recent piece reflecting on the emotional and practical challenges of navigating a life-threatening illness with her partner, Duncan, and their five-year-vintage son, Noah. The article details the anxieties and uncertainties that arose following her diagnosis, including a poignant moment captured in the headline: “I don’t aim for you to die and leave me with two children.”
According to the report, Iedema’s experience has led her to question societal expectations surrounding terminal illness. “Who is not expected to worry about something as banal as sex when they are dying?” she asked, highlighting the often-unspoken need for intimacy and connection even when facing mortality.
Iedema began her career on the web editorial team of de Volkskrant after graduating from the School of Journalism in Utrecht. She later dedicated herself to writing about love, relationships, and sex, and has also worked as a model for over a decade. She currently writes a weekly column for VROUW, and previously wrote for Nieuwe Revu.
Her published works include “(S)experimenteren” (2018) and “Mijn lust en mijn leven” (2021), both of which explore themes of relationships and sexuality with honesty and humor. The case highlights the importance of open conversations about intimacy and the impact of illness on personal relationships.
Beyond her writing, Iedema has been involved in various projects, including documentary series for Linda TV, educational videos for Easytoys, an erotic podcast, and regular appearances on a radio show. She is a vocal advocate for sexual freedom and pleasure for women.
