My mom is about to start radiation treatment for cancer. Should I avoid contact with her if I'm pregnant?

Question

Does anyone know if people being treated with radiation pass the radiation to others taking care of them?

Answer 1

Ionizing radiation is a risk to pregnant women, but only from direct exposure. If your mother is received external beam radiation treatments (e.g. daily treatments like an x-ray), then as soon as the beam is off there is no radioactivity that will be in her at all. The side effects of radiation may gradually become noticeable and build up as treatment continues, but there will be no risk from your mom's treatment to any family members.

For certain tumors (such as prostate, cervix, thyroid cancer), patients may receive radiation treatment with brachytherapy (an 'implant') or an unsealed radioactive isotope where the radiation may be close to or inside the tumor and radiating outward from a patient toward others. In either of these circumstances, there should be very stringent guidelines about radiation safety at any treatment facility or hospital as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and radiation oncologists are very careful about ensuring radiation safety for patients, families and health workers.

Answer 2

If your Mom is being treated with beam (outdoor) radiation, then even SHE is not radioactive.

If however, she has an implant, in which radioactive substances are put INTO her body (usually to shrink the tumor), she is radioactive until it is removed, so you shouldn't be around her. Usually, however, this type of radiation is done while hospitalized. An exception to that is men's treatment for prostate cancer --- the "seeds" are left in the prostate. And pregnant women should NOT be around it.

I hope your Mom gets better real soon. If you're concerned, you should talk to her doctor(s) about your risk, as a pregnant woman.

All the best to you both.

Answer 3

in the beginning, like what the others say, you could ask firsthand your wellbeing practitioner. 2nd of all, definite. it may harm your infant. this is why the nurses/medical doctors do no longer enable all and sundry to bypass into the scanning room with them. this additionally contributes to the signs and indications i've got seen multiple circumstances a pair of pregnant woman no longer being waiting to pass into. now, very virtually all human beings right here is asserting your dad is radioactive and that maximum cancers isn't contagious. on an analogous time as the standards are splendid in maximum techniques, the reason to why your existence and the child's existence would properly be at risk isn't by way of actuality that he's receiving radioactive therapy however the reality the UV from the radition debris can bypass in the present day by using you. this reasons absorption out of your dermis to three of the radiation this is extremely risky. that's existence threatening by way of fact your physique can not cope with radiation. he would have some radiation from his clothing or his dermis this is why experts oftentimes use a scanner to discover achieveable radiation scraps. that's enormously risky and that i won't be in a position that may assist you're making the call to the two be around with your father or no longer. i'm purely providing you with what i understand. something is as much as you. by using ways, Congraulations on your infant. Take care.

Answer 4

I've had cancer and trust me your mother will not pass any radiation to you or your unborn child. You can continue to do what you have been doing with her. It's not like she's going to have something that you can catch. You'll be fine so don't worry. Just stick by your mother, and be the person she can lean on and talk to. She needs all the support she can get right now. I wish your mom the best with her cancer treatment. Being positive no matter what is they key.

Answer 5

You did not say what kind of cancer your mother has. If she is in the hospital and has a vaginal implant or a thyroid ablation or radioactive implants, you should avoid her.
If she is just recieving daily radiation treatments in and out of the radiation clinic, you will be fine around her.
Prayers to your mom.
RN in Oncology.

Answer 6

Absolutely not. Obviously, you don't want to be in the room with her when she's getting the treatment, but radiation doesn't act like a virus. It isn't going to penetrate you because it's not actively being 'aimed' at you. Being around her aftwards should not affect your pregnancy. Of course, you should consult a doctor to be absolutely sure. Good luck!

Answer 7

I just finished radiation treatments and had the same question for my doctor since my daughter was pregnant. My doctor told me that she would be just fine being around me, that i would not cause any harm to her or her unborn baby.

Good luck to you and your mom.

Answer 8

no there is nothing going to happen to you or the bany i took care of myhusband while he was doing radiation for 6 weeks

Answer 9

NO, you have nothing to worry about other than your mother.
May God bless you both!

Answer 10

No they do not.