There's usually no medical reason to stop having sex during chemo. The drugs won't have any long term physical effects on your performance or enjoyment of sex. Cancer can't be passed on to your partner during sex.
Acute exposure to body fluids or the cancer medicine itself can cause rash, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, headache, nasal sores and allergic reactions.
Sexual activity will not make cancer spread, nor will it make the cancer come back. Chemotherapy drugs may stay in your partner's body fluids for some days. Using condoms or other barrier methods for a week after treatment can protect you from any potential risk. It will usually be safe to have sex after radiotherapy.
It is safe to touch other people while on chemotherapy. You can hug and kiss. But you do need to protect others from coming into contact with your medicine.
Chemotherapy can be found in saliva and vaginal secretions for 48-72 hours after treatment. During this time, do not do open-mouth kissing and use a condom or dental dam for oral sex or intercourse (vaginal or anal) so that your partner is not exposed.
If possible, patients should use a separate toilet from others in the home. Always wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. Caregivers must wear gloves when handling the patients' blood, urine, stool, or emesis. Dispose of the gloves after each use and wash your hands.
Traces of chemotherapy leave the body in the patient's blood, vomit, urine and faeces – all known as the patient's body waste. Research suggests that traces of chemotherapy may be found in the patient's body waste for up to 7 days after completion of chemotherapy.
Chemo drugs destroy cancer cells, but they can also harm healthy cells. After getting chemo, there may be small amounts of chemo in body fluids like saliva, urine, vomit, stool, semen and vaginal fluids. It's best if other people aren't exposed to these small amounts of chemo.
Don't socialize with sick people
When you're undergoing chemotherapy, your immune system may not work as well as it normally does. That can make you more vulnerable to infection. So, it's a good idea to wear a mask, especially when circulating levels of respiratory viruses like RSV, flu and COVID-19 are higher.
Chemo may cause a loss of blood cells. Low red blood cells, called anemia, can make someone tired so they need more rest. Low white blood cells, called neutropenia, can raise the risk of infection. Protect the person you're caring for from germs by washing your hands often and limiting their contact with other people.
Most cancers develop because of a combination of chance and our environment, not because we have inherited a specific cancer gene fault. Genetic specialists estimate that between 5 and 10 in every 100 cancers (5 to 10%) diagnosed are linked to an inherited faulty gene.
Avoid saying: 'It'll be okay' | Replace with: 'I love you' or 'I'm with you every step of the way' Try not to trivialize your loved one's experiences by telling them everything will work out. These statements may appear hollow and more for the benefit of the friend, than the person facing cancer.
It may be possible to become pregnant during the time you are having chemotherapy, but it isn't advisable to do so. Some chemotherapy drugs can damage an unborn child. During treatment and for about one year afterwards, sperm and eggs may not be formed normally, if they are produced at all.
Short, planned delays in chemotherapy for good-risk GCT patients (less than or equal to 7 days per cycle) appear to be acceptable since they may prevent serious toxicity in this curable patient population. Delays of longer than 7 days are strongly discouraged except in extraordinary life-threatening circumstances.
Around the third day following a chemotherapy treatment, some people may experience flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and pains. If you experience these aches, you can take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil. If necessary, contact your doctor for stronger medication.
Keep your pet away from your face.
As dogs and cats can transmit diseases, you don't want them licking your mouth or nose.
You may want to keep bleach or sanitizing wipes around your house. Use gloves when you clean. You may be more sensitive to smells if you're in chemotherapy. Strong odors from cleaning supplies might make you feel sick.
If your loved one is receiving chemotherapy or other similar medications, wash their laundry -- including sheets and towels -- separately from the rest of your household's laundry. If you can't wash them right away, put them in a plastic bag until you're able to take care of it.
Additionally, the patient must flush the toilet twice after each use and the bathroom to help dilute the chemo in the wastewater system.
Yes. It will take some extra planning and working out who can support you but it's possible to continue living alone when you have cancer. Having cancer and going through treatment raises many challenges and emotions. These may be harder to deal with when you live alone.
Bathe every day and use warm water. Avoid soaking in spas or hot tubs. Use a mild soap for bathing. Use a soft towel to gently wash skin.
Is there any risk to family and friends? You may worry about the safety of family and friends while you are having chemotherapy. There is little risk to visitors (including children, babies and pregnant women) because they aren't likely to come into contact with any chemotherapy drugs or body fluids.
Chemotherapy (especially alkylating drugs) can damage sperm in men and sperm-forming cells (germ cells) in young boys. Hormone therapy (also called endocrine therapy) can decrease the production of sperm.