Chemotherapy Precautions: Essential Do's, Don'ts, and Lifestyle Tips

Overview

The main objective of chemotherapy, or chemo, is to kill cancer cells. It can harm both healthy and cancerous cells, so exposure can be dangerous. It is essential to follow safety precautions while undergoing chemotherapy.

If you have chemotherapy as part of your cancer treatment, you should know some safety tips. During chemotherapy, one must follow certain safety guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure and manage side effects effectively. While having chemotherapy, what to avoid during chemotherapy? How to manage side effects of chemotherapy? Explore answers to your question below.

Read Also: Chemo Hacks: How To Reduce Side Effects And Feel Your Best

Dos and Don'ts For Chemotherapy Patients

The following information is the answer for your queries, like how to stay healthy during chemotherapy.

General Safety Precautions (During & Up to 48 Hours After Chemotherapy)
Do’s	Don’ts
Use a separate toilet if possible, or clean the toilet seat after each use	Do not leave the toilet lid open after use
Put the toilet lid down before flushing, and flush it twice if needed.	Do not allow your pets to come in contact with your chemo waste
Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap. Clean any splashes with sanitizing wipes	Do not skip handwashing after using the bathroom
Wear disposable gloves if handling body fluids or contaminated items	Do not handle body fluids without protection

Laundry and Household Hygiene During Chemotherapy
Do’s	Don’ts
Wash clothes or linens soiled with body fluids in a washing machine	Do not wash contaminated laundry by hand
Wash items separately using hot water and regular detergent	Do not mix soiled laundry with other clothes
Seal unwashed items in plastic bags until washing	Do not throw contaminated items loosely in the trash
Dispose of adult diapers or sanitary pads in sealed plastic bags	Do not reuse disposable hygiene products

Chemotherapy Diet And Nutrition Tips
Do’s	Don’ts
Eat freshly cooked, well-heated food	Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or seafood
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly	Do not eat food left at room temperature for long
Eat food while it is still hot if meant to be served hot	Do not consume sushi, oysters, or rare meats
Follow dietary restrictions advised by your care team	Do not eat raw produce if advised against it

How to Manage Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
Do’s	Don’ts
Choose soft, mild foods if you have mouth sores	Do not eat hard, spicy, or acidic foods
Avoid foods that irritate your mouth	Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice
Drink fluids that are moderate in temperature	Do not take cold drinks if you have cold sensitivity

Medications Guidelines for Chemotherapy Patients
Do’s	Don’ts
Take supplements only if prescribed by your doctor	Do not start new supplements without medical advice
Inform your care team about all medicines you take	Do not take herbal remedies, CBD oil, or melatonin without approval
Follow prescribed medication schedules strictly	Do not assume “natural” supplements are safe

Lifestyle Tips During Chemotherapy
Do’s	Don’ts
Rest when tired and listen to your body	Do not overexert yourself
Stay active within your comfort level	Do not push through extreme fatigue
Wear protective clothing and SPF 30 sunscreen outdoors	Do not use tanning beds
Limit sun exposure, especially during peak hours	Do not stay outdoors for long periods in direct sunlight

Chemotherapy Precautions for Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Use
Do’s	Don’ts
Stay hydrated with water and healthy fluids	Do not drink alcohol during chemotherapy
Seek help if quitting smoking is difficult	Do not smoke, vape, or use tobacco products

Chemotherapy Precautions for Sexual Health and Pregnancy Precautions
Do’s	Don’ts
Use effective birth control during chemotherapy	Do not risk pregnancy during treatment
Use barrier protection such as condoms	Do not expose sexual partners to chemotherapy drugs

Chemotherapy Precautions For Immune System
Do’s	Don’ts
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly	Do not socialize closely with sick people
Wear a mask when the infection risk is high	Do not ignore infection symptoms
Maintain personal hygiene consistently	Do not neglect hand hygiene

Read Also: What You Need to Know Before Stomach Cancer Treatment

Lifestyle Tips for Chemotherapy Patients

The following lifestyle tips can help you handle chemotherapy in a better way:

• Cook the food well to kill the harmful pathogens: Raw or undercooked foods can increase the risk of foodborne infections, which is especially dangerous during chemotherapy due to a weakened immune system. 
• Avoid specific foods: Hard, spicy, or acidic foods may aggravate mouth sores caused by chemotherapy. Grapefruit should be avoided, as it can interact with certain medications. Cold drinks and frozen foods may cause discomfort in patients with chemotherapy-related cold sensitivity.
• Best foods during chemotherapy: Oatmeal, avocado, eggs, broth, nuts, pumpkin seeds, cruciferous veggies, smoothies, whole-grain bread, and fish are some of the best foods during chemotherapy.
• Exercise tips during chemotherapy: Gentle movements, including walking, yoga, and stretching, are the key to improving strength and fatigue. It also helps in elevating moods. But always listen to your body.
• Take medications only with medical advice: Do not take any new supplements, herbal products, CBD oil, or medications without consulting your cancer care team. Even seemingly harmless supplements can interfere with chemotherapy drugs.
• Refrain from alcohol & smoking: Alcohol is processed by the liver, just like many chemotherapy drugs, and can increase strain on the organs. It can also worsen nausea and dehydration. 
• Stay indoors to avoid sunburn: Some chemotherapy drugs increase sensitivity to sunlight. Wear protective clothing, use SPF 30 sunscreen, avoid peak sun hours, and stay away from tanning beds.
• Stay away from sick people: Chemotherapy weakens the immune system. Avoid people who are ill, wear masks when necessary, and practice frequent handwashing.
• Rest well: Fatigue is a common chemotherapy side effect. Stay active if possible, but rest when needed and listen to your body.

Read Also: Is Blood Cancer Curable? Types, Causes, And Leukemia Treatment

Conclusion

The lifestyle adjustments are essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of chemotherapy. Making smart lifestyle choices, keeping lines of communication open with your care team, and taking the necessary measures can all help lower risks and increase treatment tolerance.

For effective chemotherapy precautions, choose BMCHRC. Book your consultation now!

FAQs

Q1: For what duration does the body retain the effects of chemotherapy?
A: It usually takes around 48 hours for the majority of chemotherapy medications to leave the body; however, some might take more time.

Q2: Is it possible for family members to help patients undergo chemotherapy?
A: Yes. But while dealing with bodily fluids (chemo waste), laundry, or pharmaceuticals, they must adhere to all safety procedures.

Q3: What are chemotherapy precautions for the immune system?
A: You can lessen your risk of infection and adverse consequences by refraining from specific foods. Make sure you adhere to your care team's dietary recommendations at all times.