FAQs

I have just started chemotherapy for breast cancer. I have read on the internet that my partner should wear a condom whilst I am on chemotherapy and for a few weeks afterwards. None of the health practitioners has said this. Can you advise. Many thanks.

Answer

Yes, it is advised that your partner wear a condom during your treatment and for some time afterwards. The length of time can vary for different medications depending on how long it takes for them to be excreted from your body. It is not certain that there is absorption of the chemo therapy through semen (or through the walls of the vagina) but the precaution is to prevent any effects from the therapy on the partner.

Because this is about the prevention of transmission of body fluids from one person to another, it is also recommended that you do not kiss (at least not with exchange of saliva) for some time afer the treatment. We got this information from the Cancer Information Helpline. Please phone them on 13 11 20, or one of the nurses on your treatment team, for more detailed information regarding the safe time of protection for the particular medications you are taking.