Chemotherapy drugs are dangerous and can be hazardous to patients and caregivers. Most cancer patients receive chemotherapy by intravenous route in a clinic and are monitored by nurses administering the drugs. Some patients receive chemotherapy at home through small pumps or in pill form by mouth. All routes of administration require patients and caregivers to be aware of chemotherapy safety precautions, which should be followed diligently to prevent injury or illness.
Prevent Accidental Exposure
Most chemotherapy safety precautions involve prevention of the patient and caregiver from contacting the chemotherapeutic drugs as they leave the patient's body. According to the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, the body eliminates most chemotherapy drugs within the first 48 hours following treatment. The drugs are excreted through all body fluids, including vomit, urine, stool, blood, tears, semen and vaginal secretions. It is important for the patient and caregivers to avoid physical contact with body fluids for the first 48 hours after treatment to prevent accidental exposure to chemotherapy.
If body fluids must be cleaned up, latex gloves should be worn and discarded immediately after use. Patients should use a separate toilet during this time period, and frequent toilet cleaning will help prevent accidental chemotherapy exposure. Thorough hand washing with soap and water before leaving the bathroom is vital. If body fluids contact the skin, they should be washed off immediately to prevent irritation.
Family members should wash the patient's laundry separately. It should be washed twice, in hot water with regular detergent. Family members should not share food, drinks or dishes with the patient during this time period. Children and pets should be supervised to prevent drug exposure. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should take extra caution when caring for a patient undergoing chemotherapy. One single chemotherapy exposure is not likely to cause problems; however, repeated exposure can be dangerous. When patients take chemotherapy at home via small pumps or by mouth, additional safety instructions should be obtained from the doctor.
Preventing Infection
Because chemotherapy reduces the body's ability to fight infections, patients should take precautions to prevent infection. According to the website for Neulasta, patients should avoid people who are sick, avoid large crowds, perform frequent and thorough handwashing, prevent breaks in the skin that could breed infection and practice good hygiene.
Prevent Pregnancy
The American Cancer Society advises that sexual activity should be avoided for the first 48 hours following a patient's treatment, because chemotherapy may be present in semen and vaginal secretions. Preventing pregnancy during treatment and for six months following the completion of treatment is important and should be discussed with a doctor. It is often recommended that two different forms of birth control be used together. If pregnancy occurs during treatment, the doctor must be notified immediately.
