Hi
After blasts of radiotherapy and 5 cycles of failed immunotherapy, my husband had his 1st cycle of chemo yesterday - is it ok for him to swim and visit a sauna or steam room today please?
The chemo is pemetrexed and I've read somewhere that as saunas/steam rooms can affect some chemo treatments, its best to ask a healthcare professional first so hoping you can help with this please.
Hello Lanimret
Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Adele, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.
Welcome to our online community and thanks for posting your question. I can see you have joined some of our forums and I hope you have found these helpful and supportive.
One of the side effects of chemotherapy is that it can reduce your immunity and make you more prone to infection. Unfortunately, this can mean that it is best to avoid certain activities, to reduce the risk of acquiring an infection, whilst on treatment.
One of our top tips for avoiding infection is to avoid swimming or using a public pool or spa whilst on chemotherapy. This is because there may a risk of infection from the water, or in the changing rooms.
However, it may be suitable for people to receive some complementary therapies whilst on treatment. This can include massage or other touch therapies and mind and body therapies, like meditation or yoga.
As a charity we do not have access to your husband’s medical records. Therefore, if he is interested in exploring these options, we would always recommend that he check with his health care team first, to make sure they would be suitable for him.
Sometimes these therapies can be accessed through a local Macmillan Cancer Support Centre or a Maggie’s Support Centre. There is a search tool on the NHS website where you can find information and support that is available locally. Similarly, you can search for support near you on our website.
I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.
The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.
Best wishes, Adele
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
Ref AON/FP
