There are simple ways to reduce the chance of coming into contact with chemotherapy drugs at home, both for you and your family and friends. How you store and handle chemotherapy will vary depending on the drugs you receive, so ask your treatment team what you need to do at home.
 | Clean up spillsKeep a supply of cleaning cloths, paper towels and disposable waterproof gloves handy. During the week after a treatment session, clean up any body fluids or chemotherapy drugs that spill onto household surfaces.Put on disposable gloves, soak up the spill with paper towel, clean around the area with a disposable cloth and soapy water, and rinse the area with water. Put used gloves, cloths and paper towels into a plastic bag. This can then be put in the household rubbish bin. |
 | Use a plastic bucketIf you need to vomit, use a plastic bowl or bucket (or a thick plastic bag with no holes). Empty it into the toilet, put the lid down and flush the toilet twice. Do not use the bowl or bucket for anything else and throw it out after your last chemotherapy session. |
 | Wear disposable glovesIn the week after a chemotherapy treatment session, wear disposable gloves when handling containers, clothing or bedsheets soiled with vomit or other body fluids. After use, place the gloves in a bag and put them in the household rubbish bin. |
 | Take care going to the toiletFor a week after a chemotherapy treatment session, always sit down to use the toilet. Also, put the lid down before flushing to avoid splashing, and flush the toilet using a full flush. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. |
 | Keep medicines in a safe placeStore all tablets, capsules or injections as directed by your oncologist or pharmacist, and follow the directions for storage on the label. Wash hands after handling drugs. Do not store them in a pill organiser with other medicines. Keep them out of reach of children. |
 | Keep tablets wholeDon’t crush, chew or cut chemotherapy tablets. If you can’t swallow a tablet whole, ask your oncologist or pharmacist whether the drug comes in other forms, such as a liquid, or if it can be dissolved. |
 | Handle laundry carefullyWash items soiled with body fluids – such as clothing, bedsheets and towels – straightaway. Use the longest washing machine cycle with hot or cold water, and run the cycle twice. Wash these items separately from other laundry. |
 | Practise safe sexYour doctor may advise you to use barrier contraception, such as a condom or dental dam, during sexual activity while having treatment. This protects your partner while chemotherapy drugs may be in your body fluids. |
 | Pregnancy and breastfeedingAvoid getting pregnant, or getting your partner pregnant, while having chemotherapy. If you are planning to have a baby, speak to your doctor about the timing for pregnancy. If you already have a baby, you will not be able to breastfeed during treatment. |
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A/Prof Kate Mahon, Director of Medical Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Katherine Bell, Dietetics Department, Liverpool Hospital, NSW; Brigitta Leben, Dietetics Department, Liverpool Hospital, NSW; Sophie Michele, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Jess Smith, Medical Oncologist, Macquarie University Hospital, NSW; Karene Stewart, Consumer; Julie Teraci, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Skin Cancer and Melanoma, Cancer Network WA.
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