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Scuba diving safe while undergoing radiation?

Page last modified on: September 11, 2008

Question from Flo: Can I scuba dive when I am undergoing radiation? My friends will help me lift my gear, and I feel I have the energy.: Answers —Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Radiation should not interfere with your ability to go scuba diving as long as your skin is intact. If your skin is very irritated or if there are any open regions, swimming is probably not a great idea. Scuba diving requires careful instruction. Before I would do that exciting sport, I would make sure you have careful instruction and not just casual instruction from friends.; Anne McTiernan, M.D., Ph.D.: Many times beginners scuba dive in a pool and quite often it's recommended that people undergoing radiation therapy not have chlorine exposure to the skin. So get your training either in fresh water or salt water. The chlorine really dries out the skin and it can make the radiation reaction worse.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2003, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Taking Care of Yourself. Anne McTiernan, M.D., Ph.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about exercise and nutrition, and other things you can do to nurture your body, along with strategies for finding emotional support, boosting your mood, and feeling good again.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Anne McTiernan, M.D., Ph.D. is a member of the Cancer Prevention Program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, where she is director of the prevention center.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.