If I am to receive brachytherapy to treat my prostate cancer, what happens to the seeds inside my prostate gland? Am I considered radioactive?
The radioactive seeds that are inserted inside your prostate gland are very small and you cannot feel them. They do not cause any discomfort and can safely stay inside your gland for the rest of your life. The seeds will give off radiation for up to a year, with the intensity of the radioactivity decreasing over time. Pregnant women should maintain a distance of six feet from the patient during the first two months after the implant. It is safe for young children to be around patients following the procedure. However, for the first two months, a child under twelve should not sit on the patient’s lap for an extended period of time.
