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| Yes, patients taking any kind of chemotherapy should use a condom to protect their partners from getting a dose of chemo. |
Here's more info:
I spoke to nursing students this morning at my college about living with ET, and I raised this topic with the class under the "ET complicates everything" heading.
The instructor is a certified chemotherapy and biotherapy nurse who has her Ph.D. She said that, yes, it's kind of a new thing, but patients taking any kind of chemo, oral or infused, should use a condom while taking the drug. So, I and 50 of her students got the word on that.
The class also discussed the fact that, for some patients and healthcare providers, talking about sex can be uncomfortable, and this may be why so many of us had not heard this info. I did my best to assure the students that ET patients were, indeed, still interested in sex (I have six good hours a day, after all!), and that this was useful and needed info.
Later this morning, an oncology nurse from the Cancer Answer help line through the University of Michigan, provided more detailed information on condom use and all types of chemo:
Here are the questions I sent and the answers I got back from U-M source this morning:
Q: I have essential thrombocytosis. I will be taking 500 to 1500 mg. of hydroxyurea per day when my disease progresses. Someone in my online support group said I will need to tell my husband he will need to wear a condom because I will be toxic and could give him an unwanted dose of chemo. Is this true?
A: Hydroxyurea can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, semen, and vaginal fluids). Your husband should wear a condom for oral sex or intercourse while you are taking hydroxyurea. Chemotherapy can be excreted in vaginal secretions for 48-72 hours after a treatment. You should use a condom for oral sex or intercourse during this period to prevent your partner from being exposed to the chemotherapy. More information is here.
I am not sure if you are of childbearing age, but there is this warning about pregnancy and hydroxyurea: "If you are a female, you should use effective birth control while taking hydroxyurea and for 30 days after treatment. If you are a male, you and your female partner should use effective birth control while taking hydroxyurea and for one year after stopping your treatment. ... Hydroxyurea may harm the fetus."
Q: What about patients taking anagrelide (Agrylin), ruxolitinib (Jakafi) or Pegasys (pegalated interferon)? Do the same condom rules apply?
A: I spoke with the Cancer Center pharmacist regarding this, and she answers: "Yes, anybody taking an oral oncolytic (chemotherapy) should be using condoms during oral sex and intercourse."
Q: Someone [taking hydroxyurea] said she flushes the toilet twice and is careful around her grandchildren. What's that about?
A: The pharmacist responded, "Yes, you should flush the toilet twice while receiving an oral chemotherapy. You can still kiss friends and relatives, but take precautions around children or any person who may be sick to protect yourself; your immune system is affected while taking oral chemotherapy. Oral chemotherapies are not typically excreted through the skin, but you should continue with consistent handwashing to protect yourself from germs (again, your immune system is compromised while taking oral chemotherapy."
The nurse also provided some helpful links:
American Cancer Society: Questions women have about cancer, sex, and getting professional help
Dana Farber Cancer Institute: Sexual intimacy during cancer treatment
Oncolink: Home safety for patients receiving anti-cancer medication
More questions? Ask your hematology oncologist. It's important.
Be well!
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ET is a serious disease that requires specialist care. Discuss anything you read here with your doctor. No comments promoting "alternative" or "natural" cures (yes, this includes Rick Simpson's Oil) will be published.