Colorectal Cancer: Sex, Sexuality and Intimacy

Targeted therapies are procedures that go after a part of cancer cells that make them different from normal cells.

As a general matter, you can have sex during treatment with targeted therapies. 

• Hhowever, sex during treatment is not recommended if:
  • Your immune system is low including your white blood cells (“immunosuppressed”) 
  • You have very low red  blood cell counts ("anemia")
  • You are in the first weeks of recovery after surgery
• Check with your doctor or his/her nurse before having sex.
• Safer sex techniques will prevent pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. To learn more, see: Safer Sex: Level Of Risk Of Transmission of HIV and Other STDs . 

Side effects of targeted therapies which can affect sex and sexuality

Depending on the drug used, the following are potential side effects of targeted therapies.

• An allergic reaction during the first infusion which can cause problems with breathing and low blood pressure.
• Acne-like rash.
• Dry skin. (To learn about dealing with dry skin, click here)
• Fatigue. (To learn about dealing with fatigue, click here) 
• Fever
• Constipation or diarrhea  
  • For information about dealing with diarrhea, click here)
  • For information about dealing with constipation, click here)
• Bleeding
• Holes forming in the colon
• Slow wound healing
• Blood reactions such as high blood pressure, blood clots, low white blood cell counts
• Headaches
• Mouth sores or dry mouth
  • To learn about preventing and dealing with mouth dryness, click here
  • To learn about mouth sores, click here.
• Loss of appetite (For information about coping with loss of appetite, click here 

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