Chemotherapy Safety at Home
Introduction
Although chemotherapy is used to treat cancer, it also damages normal healthy cells, hence causing a series of side effects. Even so, in clinical decision, it is all about benefits vs risks. Different from a cancer patient, exposure to chemotherapy medicines not only provides no potential benefits, but it harms those care giver or health care professionals if coming in contact.
Body Fluids
In an overview, most chemotherapy medicines remain in body fluids for about 48-72 hours after each treatment (up to 7 days for certain chemotherapy medicines). Hence, it is important to take precautions in handling body fluids during this period.
- Body fluids include blood, urine (wee), faeces (poo) and vomit.
As the rule of thumb, caregivers should wear throw-away gloves (ideally, 2 pairs) if they need to touch any of your body fluids. They should always wash their hands with warm water and soap afterward - even if they had gloves on.
NOTE: Children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, should not touch chemotherapy drugs or body fluids that might have chemotherapy in them. However, it is safe for chemo patient to touch other people, and to hug and cuddle your family.
Precautions at Home
Store all tablets, capsules and injections in a safe place away from children and animals, and follow the directions for storage on the label.
Return all leftover tablets or capsules and used needles/syringes in appropriate container to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
Going to the toilet
- If possible, you may want to use a separate toilet during this time.
- Sit on the toilet seat to use the toilet (for men and women), to cut down on splashing.
- After using the toilet, close the lid and flush the toilet twice.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
Disposing of used incontinence pads or nappies
- Wear disposable gloves to put the items in a plastic bag.
- Put the gloves in the bag as well, tie it up (with two plastic bags) and put it in the rubbish.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
Managing vomiting
- If you vomit into the toilet, clean off all splashes and flush twice.
- If you vomit into a bucket or basin, carefully empty it into the toilet without splashing the contents and flush twice. Wash out the bucket with hot, soapy water and rinse it; empty the wash and rinse water into the toilet, then flush. Dry the bucket with paper towels and throw them away.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
Washing clothes, towels or bedding with body fluids on them
- Wear disposable gloves to touch these items.
- Wash the items straight away. If this is not possible, place them in a sealed plastic bag until they can be washed.
- After putting the items in the washing machine, put the disposable gloves into a plastic bag and put in the rubbish.
- Wash the items separately on the longest washing machine cycle in either hot or cold water.
- Dry them out if possible.
- After washing, the items can be used as normal.
Sex and protection
- Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and few months after completing treatment due to teratogenicity.
- Use a condom or other physical barrier if having any type of sex after each treatment. This is to reduce exposure of your partner to these medicines in semen or vaginal fluids. This usually applies for 48 hours but may be up to 7 days for certain drugs.
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