Tell date about mastectomy?
Meet the Experts
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.
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.
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