A healthy person needs to keep their body cool in high temperatures. However, it is an even more crucial priority for a cancer patient. Failure to do so can put a cancer patient in great danger.
Under normal circumstances, hot weather can cause physical discomfort such as sweating, irritability, fatigue, and poor sleep quality. For cancer patients, hot weather can make things worse.
Patients receiving radiation therapy may experience dryness, itching, redness, and blistering on the skin, which can be worsened by sun exposure or excessive heat.
Patients receiving chemotherapy may have an increased risk of sunburn and skin damage because some chemotherapy drugs are photosensitive. Chemotherapy can also affect the kidney, heart, lungs, thyroid, or adrenal function, and may alter the water and electrolyte balance in the body.
The common hazards for cancer patients during hot weather are:
Dehydration:
Cancer treatments can cause a loss of appetite for food and liquids, affecting the kidneys. Some cancer treatments can also cause diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. Warm weather can make this situation worse.
Sunburn:
Different types of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies, can cause burns on the skin. Sun exposure or hot weather can exacerbate these burns.
Infection:
Chemotherapy in cancer patients decreases the white blood cell count, weakening the immune system. This can make cancer patients more susceptible to infection by bacteria or pathogens, which can cause food poisoning.
As a cancer patient or caregiver, it's important to take some safety precautions during hot summer days, such as:
- Consuming lots of fruits and vegetables, especially those with high water content and electrolytes.
- Avoiding caffeine.
- Avoiding travel during mid-day hours and seek shaded areas when outside.
- Wearing comfortable and full-sleeved clothing that covers the skin surface.
- Always keep in contact with your healthcare provider.
References:
https://www.henryford.com/blog/2017/08/3-ways-summer-affects-cancer-patients
https://www.foxchase.org/blog/5-summer-safety-tips-cancer-patients-and-survivors
https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.22.01951
https://endeavor.moffitt.org/archive/summer-reminders-for-cancer-survivors
