Oncology and being pregnant

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I am a new grad who was offered a position in oncology and I am interested but I would like to have children in about 2 years. How safe is it to work in oncology and be planning to have children soon?

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I am an MA in an oncology clinic- have been told by our doc that the is no risk to staff unless they were to come in contact with the chemotherapy drugs ( ie on bare skin, ..) all drugs are mixed in hoods or are prepacked so contact is minimal. The most risk would come from "hot" radiation contact with out wearing lead apron or protective gear.

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Specializes in Med/Onc, Med/Surg, Stepdown, ICU.

I'm an oncology nurse and 15 weeks pregnant. My doctor told me to avoid direct contact with the chemo drugs and of course, no exposure to radiation. I try to avoid taking patients actively receiving chemo. If for some reason, I have to take a chemo patient, I just have someone else spike the drugs. I can still monitor the patient and turn the pump off if needed. If we have a "hot" radiation patient, I stay clear away from the room and the rooms next to it. As far as having kids in the next few years, you just need to take the normal precautions (with chemo/radiation) that anyone else would.

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Hello

Iam a Home Health Nurse.I was recently assigned 2 patients receiving chemotherapy and I am very concerned, I'm 28 weeks pregnantand I am afraid this could harm the baby with some kind of exposure since I am doing their wound care daily.They will be starting radiation as well withing 2 weeks.I would like to know your oppinion since yu have more experience with this subject.

Thanks:redpinkhe

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
Hello

Iam a Home Health Nurse.I was recently assigned 2 patients receiving chemotherapy and I am very concerned, I'm 28 weeks pregnantand I am afraid this could harm the baby with some kind of exposure since I am doing their wound care daily.They will be starting radiation as well withing 2 weeks.I would like to know your oppinion since yu have more experience with this subject.

Thanks:redpinkhe

I really wouldn't worry too much. Are you hanging/spiking the chemo, or is the pt just receiving it elsewhere?? Really, all you need to worry about is universal precautions, it'll be adequate. As far as radiation, outpt, no problem unless they are getting loaded with seeds, I may want more info on this. The only other rad I would be concerned about is " I131" for thyroid ca, the pt is usually rx'd inpt, but every body fluid/ anything they touch is "hot" and they usually remain on precautions for a couple of weeks after returning home, i.e. separate utensils, laundry, bathroom privelages, avoid small children, If it's regular ol' run of the mill beam radiation, they don;t stay "hot", only when they are getting the treatment, hope this helps

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