Is Sexual Activity Advisable For A Cancer Patient During Treatment?

Posted on Thu, 11 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 Answered on

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : 3 days ago, I took a lower dosage, I believe 30mg of radioactive iodine to finish my thyroid cancer treatment. I am wondering how long I have to have protective sex for. My wife cannot get pregnant, but am still concerned the radiation can do damage to her. Thank you for your help.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
11 days

Detailed Answer:
Sexual contact needs to be avoided for about 11 days if you received 30 mCi dose.

However, you must call your endocrinologist or the radiation medicine specialist who administered the dose for specific instructions in your case.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar