Cyclophosphamide

Re: Cyclophosphamide

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:31:36 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]Most people on chemotherapy don't pee and poo in the garden or out in public, nor do they slobber on other people (or at least only those they know really well....)[/quote] Peeing and pooing in the garden would be infinitely preferable to what they do which is peeing and pooing into the public sewers which is then recycled for human consumption, and hopefully they would choose not to kiss their nearest and dearest. There are clear guidelines for dealing with body fluids in clinic which can be adapted to home use. I tell all my clients with chemo patients that there is a risk, I do not assume it is insignificant but the point I was making was that it has to be put into context. Half of them will be smoking, drinking alcohol and eating processed meats or indulging in other life-style habits all of which are far more carcinogenic than the very small quantity of cyclosphosphamide that may be excreted from their pets and which they are not likely to come in contact with unless they are careless.

Re: Cyclophosphamide

Rob Davis — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:43:03 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Come to think of it neither would the medics![/quote]

Most people on chemotherapy don't pee and poo in the garden or out in public, nor do they slobber on other people (or at least only those they know really well....)

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Whatever happened to common sense?[/quote]

I'm quite happy to apply common sense, but I have no idea what quantities are likely to be excreted or how much of a risk this is. Assuming there is no significant risk seems a little gung'ho to me.

Re: Cyclophosphamide

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:18:26 GMT

I think sensible precautions are.... well sensible but if you worry about chemotherapeutic agents getting into the environment or contaminating the owner then we wouldn't do any chemotherapy at all. Come to think of it neither would the medics! Whatever happened to common sense?

Re: Cyclophosphamide

Rob Loxley — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:45:37 GMT

I'd suggest your friendly oncologist may give a better answer, but my understanding was that with the lower doses of chemo agents used for such 'metronomic' protocols the risk was less, but the same sensible precautions should be taken to minimise exposure as, say, a dog on COP.

I'd be interested to know how long hazardous metabolites stay in the enviroment (e.g. dog urinating on the lawn), but I'm not sure I'd be massively more concerned than, say, COP.