How can I keep others safe while I am undergoing radiation treatment?

Hiroki Sueyoshi, a radiation oncologist at the University of Vermont Cancer Center in Burlington

While it can help destroy your cancer, radiation also exposes your body to radioactive beams or material. Before treatment begins, your radiation oncologist or care team should explain the risks associated with your radiation treatment plan and give you detailed safety instructions.

Different types of radiation will require different precautions around your loved ones. External beam radiation therapy, a common treatment for many cancers, uses a machine outside your body to direct radiation to the tumor. These treatments, including 3D conformal radiation, intensity-modulated radiation and image-guided radiation, will not require any special precautions to protect others because no radiation is present in the body after treatment. It is safe to immediately be around loved ones, including those especially vulnerable to radiation, such as pregnant individuals, children and pets.

Other types of systemic radiation travel through the bloodstream and will require safety precautions. For example, with oral radiation treatments, such as radioactive iodine therapy, patients swallow a capsule or liquid containing iodine. The iodine is absorbed in the bloodstream and delivers radiation to the cancer. With infusion radiation treatments, patients receive radioactive drugs through an IV. The drugs then travel through the bloodstream to deliver the radiation to cancer cells. In both forms of therapy, the radiation will remain in your body for a few days. During this time, radioactive materials may be expelled in sweat, urine, saliva and blood. In some cases, you may remain in the hospital for a short time. At home, take precautions to limit exposure to your loved ones, including washing your clothes and sheets separately and flushing twice after using the toilet. Keep your distance from other people for up to a week, and avoid sharing utensils and direct physical contact, such as hugging or kissing.

Another type of radiation called brachytherapy is used to treat cancers of the head and neck, breast, cervix, eye and prostate. Radioactive seeds are implanted near the tumor, where they emit radiation to treat the cancer. These seeds can remain in your body for as little as 10 minutes, or they may be permanent. While the risk for radiation exposure to others is small, avoid close physical contact with the area under treatment while a radioactive seed is implanted. For example, avoid having a child sit on your lap while you undergo brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Ask your care team how long you should take precautions.

To keep your loved ones safe, follow your care team’s recommendations and bring any concerns to their attention.

RADIATION PRECAUTIONS // Richmond University Medical Center offers advice about caring for someone undergoing radiation. // Cleveland Clinic explains safety precautions that people receiving radiation or chemotherapy should follow.

The expert’s response was edited for clarity and based on an interview with Kendall K. Morgan.