Hi,
I have read a previous post from a few years ago regarding your bodily fluids being toxic and what precautions should be taken at home. It says about urine and stools but I was wondering if it is the same when it comes to sweat? I wonder because my daughter co sleeps with me and I'm not sure that is advisable whilst I'm having chemo due to the toxicity?
I did ask my chemo nurse but they wasn't sure and directed me to you.
Hi Hell0,
Thanks for getting in touch and a warm welcome to our online community. My name is Suzanne and I am one of the cancer information nurse specialists here at Macmillan.
I can appreciate your concerns about close contact with your daughter during chemotherapy and the need to make sure that you are as safe as possible at home. However, it’s so important for you both to try and make sure that your day-to-day life is as normal as possible if you can.
You will see from this information from cancer research around Chemotherapy Safety at Home that chemotherapy drugs can potentially be excreted through any of your bodily fluids following treatment. However, they also state that it is safe to hug and kiss your loved ones during this time.
From this information it would seem that contact such as sleeping next to someone presents a very low risk. There are other ways that you can reduce the risks at home discussed on this American resource called Oncolink.
I do hope this information is helpful. As a mum, you may also find this resource around parenting with cancer supportive going forward.
I can see that you haven’t joined any of our online community forums as yet and wondered whether this may help too as you go through your treatment. You may also find these resources from a cancer wellbeing organisation called Penny Brohn useful.
Going through cancer treatment can be challenging in many ways so please do reach out again if you need to. It may help to call or chat with us on the support line too, as we can often support you better that way.
Best wishes and take care,
Suzanne, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
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