Lack of Sensation in Breast

Autor: OncoLink Team
Fecha de la última revisión: July 28, 2022

What is lack of sensation in the breast?

Lack of sensation in the breast is loss of feeling in the breast. You may not be able to feel touch, pain, or temperature. This can be caused by damage to nerves during surgery or may be a late effect of radiation therapy to the breast.

Sensory changes are common with surgical treatments for breast cancer. This change can affect sexuality for some women. A loss of sensation in the breast (an accessory sex organ) may affect sexual arousal.

How is it managed?

Sensory changes may increase the risk of infection if early signs of infection are not recognized. To prevent infection, practice breast hygiene. This includes careful washing and drying of the skin and watching for redness, inflammation, discharge, and other signs of infection.

When should I contact my care team?

If you have any concerns about the sensory changes in your breast or with changes to your sexuality, discuss these with your care provider. Sometimes it is difficult for people to talk about sexual topics. Your care provider may ask questions to help you with any concerns you may have.

Referencias

American Cancer Society [Internet]. Sexuality After Breast Cancer. 2017. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-after-sexuality

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