The balloon is used in radiation therapy to move organs out of the way of the radiaton beam. It is inserted and removed with every radiation treatment. The balloon mechanism is rectally inserted and then inflated, you have the radiation treatment and the balloon is removed. If your wife can undergo a pap smear you should be able to handle the infamous balloon. Man up - you can handle it. Smile and tell the nurses what a great job they did and go about your life. What's a little balloon among friends??