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Sex safe after radiation treatment?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008
Question from Alien Princess: I am currently being treated by radiation for my breast cancer. I would like to know if there are any safety issues or side effect issues with having a sexual relationship with my husband during the term of radiation? I just started a couple of days ago. We are in our sixties and have had a wonderfully active sex life. Will anything deter us from intimacy during treatment?
Answers —Kara Nakisbendi, M.D.: I think as long as you're comfortable, as long as the skin's not too irritated or there are no concerns about infection, just listen to your body and make sure it feels good.
Leslie Schover, Ph.D.: I'm wondering if you have a concern about radiation affecting your partner. It's important to know that the radiation from a machine outside of your body doesn't stay in your body and can't hurt your partner. Occasionally, a woman will have a radioactive implant put in her breast as a booster for her radiation therapy, and during that time she may have special instructions about getting close to other people. But that is the exception and not the rule.

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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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.

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