• Check your mouth daily for white
patches, and report these or any
mouth pain to your doctor or nurse
right away.
• Use non-alcohol mouthwashes and
toothpastes.
• Use gentle, non-deodorant soaps to
bathe. Pat skin dry and use soft towels
and cloths. Do not wash off ink marks
used for radiation therapy.
• Use an electric razor to avoid nicks
and cuts, which could become
infected.
• Wear loose-fi tting cotton clothing, and
wear undergarments that don’t bind or
constrict.
• Use only prescribed ointments,
lotions, and powders at the radiation
treatment site.
• Do not use deodorant, aftershave, or
perfumes near these areas.
• Check skin folds that are close to the
radiation site for redness or white
patches, which may be a sign of
infection. Tell your doctor or nurse if
you fi nd these.
Each person’s skin responds differently
to cancer treatments. Some people have
few problems while others have more.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about your
cancer treatments and what skin changes
to expect. He or she can help you to
prevent problems and treat them without
delay.
Sexuality and Feelings
Your fi rst thought after you learned you
had cancer may not have been about
your sexual functioning. But as treatment
begins and time passes, questions
about your ability to have sex and a
relationship may arise. You may wonder
if this part of your life can be normal.
Sexual functioning and feelings are
important parts of life. They can affect
your outlook on life, your self-image,
and your relationships with others.
Everyone has a need for closeness,
touch, caring, and pleasure. These
remain important in life even when
you are dealing with an illness such as
cancer.
Cancer treatments may affect your sex
life. It is important to talk about the
effects of cancer treatments. Strive for
good communication with both your
doctor and your partner.
• Ask your doctors and nurses for
information about the usual effects
of your cancer treatment on sex and
relationships. When you know what
to expect, you can plan ways to cope.
• Keep in mind that no matter what
kind of cancer treatment you have,
being able to feel pleasure from
touching almost always remains.
• Talk openly and honestly with your
partner. Talking and hearing about
each other’s concerns helps you to
avoid blame and to stay positive. You
will each have a better sense of how
the other is feeling.
• Keep an open mind about ways to
experience closeness and sexual
pleasure — especially if your normal
routine has changed.
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