Dear Iris: Keeping My Family Safe During Chemo Treatment
Dear Iris,
I'm getting chemotherapy and I want to make sure I keep my family safe. Is it okay for them to use the same bathroom, kitchen utensils, etc?
K
Dear K,
Absolutely, it's generally safe to use the same bathroom, utensils, and other household items as your family even if you have cancer or are undergoing chemotherapy. Nonetheless, a few precautions can help maintain safety and hygiene for everyone.
Chemotherapy can weaken your immune system, increasing your risk of infections. Regular hand washing and thorough cleaning of utensils and surfaces are essential practices. While having a separate set of utensils or a designated bathroom could be extra precautions, especially if you're significantly immunocompromised, they're usually not necessary.
Cancer itself isn't contagious; however, some chemotherapy drugs can be excreted in bodily fluids for a few days after treatment. Oral chemotherapy, in particular, requires careful attention to storage, handling, and disposal due to its hazardous nature. You may need to wear gloves when handling the medication and adhere to specific disposal instructions, which could include returning them to a pharmacy for safe disposal. It's important to discuss these safety measures with your cancer care team.
Always consult your care team about any concerns. They're best equipped to offer advice suited to your specific treatment and living situation, helping keep your home environment safe and comfortable.
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Lindsay Boudinot, RN, BSN, OCN
Senior Oncology Nurse
Iris Oncology
Lindsay Boudinot began her career as an emergency room nurse working in a level one trauma center in St. Louis, later transitioning into a breast cancer nurse navigator. In this role, she was able to work with patients from diagnosis, through treatment and into survivorship. Lindsay’s passion is empowering patients with knowledge and understanding of their cancer, treatment, resources, and side effect management techniques so that they can live their best lives possible despite difficult circumstances.
This article meets Iris standards for medical accuracy. It has been fact-checked by the Iris Clinical Editorial Board, our team of oncology experts who ensure that the content is evidence based and up to date. The Iris Clinical Editorial Board includes board-certified oncologists and pharmacists, psychologists, advanced practice providers, licensed clinical social workers, oncology-certified nurses, and dietitians.
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