Swimming

Hi Susan21,

Thank you for contacting Macmillan Cancer Support. My name is David, one of the Cancer Information Specialist’s on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am sorry to hear of your Follicular B-cell Lymphoma diagnosis. However, it sounds like you have tolerated your R-CHOP chemotherapy well.

Rituximab also has many similar common side effects like risk of infection.

People going through chemotherapy may be advised to avoid swimming or using a public pool or spa because chemotherapy affects your immune system.

This can mean your body is less able to fight infection, which may make you more susceptible to germs in the water.

Exercise and physical activity can have lots of benefits for your general health and wellbeing.

Swimming has lots of benefits. For example, it can help to increase your general fitness, strengthen muscles, and manage stress.

However, there might be times when you should avoid public swimming pools.

This includes if you:

• Are neutropenic, in order to avoid infection from public pools and changing rooms
• Are having radiotherapy, because chlorine could irritate the skin in the area being treated
• Have a central line or PICC line (a tube inserted into a vein deep inside you to give treatments and take blood), due to a risk of it becoming dislodged or infected.

Your Haematology Team are best placed to advise if your immune system has recovered sufficiently, typically three weeks post-treatment.

Lymphoma Action and Blood Cancer UK are also good sources of information and support going forward.

We hope you enjoy this well deserved holiday and don’t forget the suncream.

If there is anything else we can help you with please feel free to get back in touch.

Best wishes

David,

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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