Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

Attending a wedding whilst on chemo

DEP
  • 2 replies
  • 45 subscribers
  • 1180 views

Hi

Apologies if this is the wrong forum for this type of question. I have just started my first round of chemo for bowel cancer (FOLFOX, fortnightly cycles with the drugs administered for the first three days of each cycle). 

We have a family wedding that sits on the Saturday at the end of a two week cycle. I appreciate this may change, but so far, as I near the end of my first cycle, I found things very tough through week 1 but am now improving through week 2. I'm thinking that I may be feeling well enough to attend. However, I've had a range of advice regarding whether I should attend or not given the reduced immunity and risk of infection (it will be a busy wedding with many people). Some have said go for it, it will be fine if you're careful through to others saying it's not worth the risk. I appreciate there is no set answer to this, but would really appreciate any thoughts that you may have please. 

Many thanks

Dave

  • Dear DEP

    Welcome to the online community. My name is Sharon and I am one of the cancer information specialist nurses. We can answer this question on this forum so don’t apologise.

    It is difficult when you have a family occasion and you have to make a decision about whether or not to attend whilst you are on chemotherapy. You wrote that you have had a range of advice about whether you should attend or not and I wonder if you have asked your team at the Hospital. Your team will be able to give you some help and advice about whether they think you might be able to attend and any precautions you should take when you are there if you do go. They might also be able to work with you to work your treatment around the wedding to minimise your risk when you are there.

    You are right to think about the risk of picking up an infection when you are going to any social activities and this may be higher if it is a busy wedding in an enclosed space. This factsheet on Friends, family and public places explains a little more about how the immune system is affected by treatment. You might also feel more tired and need to plan for this if it is going to be a busy day.

    When you have spoken with your team you will be able to weigh up the risk of attending and make a decision based on the best information you have. It you feel unable to attend when you have all the information perhaps you could see if the wedding is being live-streamed or recorded so that you might be able to watch it with a smaller group of people.

    I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please get in touch by email or phone. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm,  or send us an email. 

    My best wishes

    Sharon

    Ref CF

  • in reply to Sharon C - Macmillan

    Hi Sharon

    Many thanks for your response and also the link to the health tips - I hadn't seen that before regarding the nadir etc, very helpful. I am meeting with one of the clinical nurses today and will, as you suggest, check with them directly as well. I asked the oncology doctor the same question at the very start of my diagnosis and the advice was to not go to be honest (& this is advice I will certainly follow) - it was just that I felt OK come week 2 of the treatment so was double checking just to see if there was a glimmer there :) . Thanks again, Dave

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007