Is it safe to be around someone who is undergoing chemo and radiation therapy when you are pregnant?
by 
meandmyfamily
ANSWERS: 7
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I don't see any reason why not.
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I would be cautious, you don't want the fetus damaged. Those drugs and treatments are hard core powerful.
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Yes. The drugs are entirely contained in the body, and the radiation exists only in the treatment room. While I would refrain from passionate kisses within an hour or two of taking the drugs, I would not see any other precautions ar required.
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Unless the radiation is being delivered by implanted radioactive seeds, the person himself does not become radioactive. It's like an x-ray (only much more powerful); your knee or shoulder or whatever doesn't become radioactive after the film's been taken. With chemo, it's true that the drugs spread throughout the patient's body. However, there's no evidence that someone can be exposed to chemo just from touching another person. Furthermore, the body metabolizes these drugs to break them down, so they're not active for that long. That's why repeated dosing is required. I don't think anyone who's pregnant needs to worry about hanging out with cancer patients.
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Chemo is released in the urine. As long as you're not drinking his urine, you're fine.
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Today on Ellen, Pregnant woman developed brest cancer and is in her 12 week of pregnancy. In a week she must undergo a lumpectomy and then six weeks of chemo. All this during her pregnancy.... I don't think second hand chemo is a problem.
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"The chemotherapy drugs are strong, that even as they are being removed from your body, they can still be toxic and dangerous to others. For example, they can cause abnormal changes in DNA, they can alter the development of an unborn baby, they may be able to cause other kinds of cancer and some may cause localized skin irritation or damage. This occurs by others having contact with the toxic by-products once they have been eliminated by your body. That is why it is important for you to take certain steps to ensure that people around you do not become sick." "No one should come into contact with your urine or your feces (stool). You must flush the toilet twice after each use. If possible use a separate toilet from others in your home. If you are in the hospital, do not allow visitors to use your toilet." Source and further information: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/Bone_Marrow_Transplantation/hic_Chemotherapy_Precautions_During_and_After_Treatment.aspx
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