Skip to content

Tell date about mastectomy?

Page last modified on: October 6, 2008
Question from BARB: I'm about to go on my first date since breast cancer treatment. Frankly, I'm terrified. How do I even bring up the subject of my mastectomy? I don't want to put him in an awkward position or waste his time, if real breasts are important to him.
Answer —Kara Nakisbendi, M.D.: I suppose the question is do you want to know now or later? I think it's a difficult situation, but it comes down to your comfort level. I think, as I said before, that women tend to focus on these types of things early on and worry that it will keep them from being able to progress in a relationship. But the reality is about how comfortable you are with yourself and working toward feeling comfortable. I tell many of my patients, if you end up telling them and find out it was important to them, then they probably weren't a good person for you.

On Wednesday, February 20, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Sex, Intimacy, and Breast Cancer. Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D. and Kara Nakisbendi, M.D. answered your questions about sexual side effects of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment, and what you can do about them.

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.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

wellness_dvd_promo

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D.Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D. is a renowned psychologist with a special interest in helping people resolve or manage their sexual problems, especially those problems connected with a chronic illness such as cancer.

Kara Nakisbendi, M.D. is a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, a Board Certified Nutrition Specialist and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.