Summer is a time for family road trips, backyard barbecues, and relaxing days at the beach, but for cancer patients, it can also be a time of increased stress or discomfort. Cancer patients face unique risks during the summer months, particularly when it comes to pool and sun safety.
Pool Risks
After a cancer diagnosis, something as simple as putting your feet in the pool may have risks, according to Kathy Deitrich, a nurse who was diagnosed with a rare form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2017. Deitrich advises cancer patients to ask their doctor whether they can swim in public pools, the ocean, or lakes, as people with cancer are more prone to infections.
Christy Vaal, MSW, LCSW, a social worker diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2017, echoed Deitrich’s advice, highlighting the importance of consulting with a doctor before engaging in water activities.
Sun Safety Tips
Experts recommend that everyone take precautions to protect themselves from sun exposure, but this advice is especially important for people with cancer, as chemotherapy, radiation, and other cancer treatments can make the skin more sensitive. Christy Vaal advises cancer patients to always carry sunscreen with them and make it a daily habit to apply sunscreen as part of their daily routine.
Other sun safety tips include wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, reapplying sunscreen throughout the day, and limiting sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cancer patients can also wear hats and other clothing that protects their skin and scalp, and consider using UV sun protection clothing for extra protection.
For cancer patients who experience hair loss due to treatment, it’s essential to protect their scalp from the sun, using a lightweight scarf or hat as a protective accessory.
Beat the Heat
Kathy Deitrich is no stranger to heat and humidity, but she notes that chemotherapy made her oversensitive to heat. She provides several tips to help cancer patients cope with the heat, including replacing wigs with hats or cotton scarves for better airflow, keeping a cooler with ice packs and cold water in the car, and staying in air-conditioned spaces when possible.
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Deitrich also recommends walking during the coolest part of the day, either in the early morning or late evening, and keeping a blanket nearby to help with hot flashes or fluctuating body temperature.
Fun Summer Tips
Despite the challenges, summer can still be a time for fun for cancer patients. Christy Vaal suggests eating healthy foods, trying a new hobby or sport, and checking local event calendars for inspiration. Cancer patients can also pack a picnic basket and enjoy the outdoors.
Vaal notes that some cancer patients, particularly those who have recently undergone B-cell-depleting treatments or had stem cell transplants, may still need to take COVID precautions, and summer offers the opportunity to socialize relatively safely with others outdoors.
Cancer patients face unique challenges during the summer months.
They can still enjoy the season by taking steps to protect themselves from the sun and heat, reducing their risk of complications. By prioritizing self-care and recognizing their limits, cancer patients can make the most of their summer.
Christy Vaal recommends practicing mindfulness, finding a peaceful place to sit and take in the scenery, and focusing on the sensations around them to reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression, and this could be as simple as enjoying natural flavors in their food.
Ultimately, how cancer patients spend their summer is up to them, and by staying safe, knowing their limits, and having a conversation with their doctor, they can enjoy the activities that bring them joy.
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