Breastfeeding and oncology nursing

Published

What I'm trying to find out, is what is the deal with exposure to radiation or chemo while you are breastfeeding? I'm really ignorant when it comes to this subject! I can't find anything online either.

My situation is that I'm in my final days of an RN program. Going to be doing my preceptorship in med/surg/oncology. Now, this is a floor with mostly medical patients but some oncology, my preceptor told me there are some patients with chemo hanging (I, obviously will not be doing this med administration but will be helping in the other aspects of care). I also hear some patients get radiation on this floor but I'm not sure at all with this means for how much I will be exposed to this, how radiation is done, etc.

Now, I was pg during these past two semesters and my instructors never assigned me to oncology floors. I have no idea if that was overkill or if you really can't go there while pregnant. But I'm wondering if I'm breastfeeding does this apply at all too? I really hope not.

I'm very interested in oncology and requested to do my preceptorship there (8, 12 hr shifts over the course of 3 weeks). I'm thinking since it's such a small amount of time and the patients aren't all on chemo/radiation that any exposure would be minimal to nothing. Am I right?

I've heard opinions all across the board from "nothing to worry about!" all the way to "don't step foot on that floor!"

Becky

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have worked in onc during pregnancies and breastfeeding. The thing to worry about is not necessarily only during these times, b/c exposure can potentially do harm to your reproductive cells over time. So, whether you're a man or a woman, pregnant or just trying to conceive, this is a concern for everyone. Limit your exposure to the chemo itself and to the body fluids of the patient who's either getting the chemo or has gotten it within the last 24-48 hours. If you are gong to take care of a patient getting radiation, you can call the radiation department to ask if distance is necessary.

Good luck.

-Julie in NYC

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Do you have access to a lactation consultant at your hospital? Perhaps you could make an apointment to discuss your concerns with her. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Educator; Family Nursing.

People receiving radiation therapy are not "radioactive". Persons who receive radioactive isotopes for specific tests (thyroid for one) excrete the isotope in body fluids and stool. That is be a hazard for anyone.

Oncology drugs could pass in the breast milk, which could be hazardous to your baby. So, you would want to avoid contact with the IV fluid bags, tubing and drug vials if there are any on the unit. There is a document from UNICEF about drugs during breastfeeding at

http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/New_Publications/NUTRITION/BF_Maternal_Medication.pdf

It was published in 2002, but the information remains accurate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
People receiving radiation therapy are not "radioactive". Persons who receive radioactive isotopes for specific tests (thyroid for one) excrete the isotope in body fluids and stool. That is be a hazard for anyone.

Oncology drugs could pass in the breast milk, which could be hazardous to your baby. So, you would want to avoid contact with the IV fluid bags, tubing and drug vials if there are any on the unit. There is a document from UNICEF about drugs during breastfeeding at

http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/New_Publications/NUTRITION/BF_Maternal_Medication.pdf

It was published in 2002, but the information remains accurate.

This document details which medications one should avoid actually taking oneself during breastfeeding. It does not seem to give information regarding potential contact with these drugs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Educator; Family Nursing.

Ah, yes, but I constantly see nurses handling IV bags with potentially hazardous substances in them without protecting themselves.

In the 60's and 70's IV therapy nurses mixed these drugs on the unit and added them to the IV bag. We did not wear gloves or take any precautions. Now the mixing of chemotherapy IVs is done by the pharmacist under a negative pressure hood with hands in gloves so that the pharmacist who mixes the medication does not come into contact with the drug. This is an OSHA issue.

There is an article at:

http://intl-caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/reprint/33/5/258

current as of April 23, 2007 that suggests health care providers ARE at risk from the fetotoxic and carcinogenic effects of cytotoxic drugs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion