Cancer Discussions - January 3rd, 2010 - 7 Comments
Can someone who has had cancer and chemo then donate blood?
I have been told that once someone has canecr and chemo they can’t donate blood or any body organ except the cornea. Is this true universally, in the USA or what?
Generally, the conditions asociated with those allowed to donate may vary slightly and certainly is likely to vary quite a bit from country to country, dependant on what systems they have in place. Some organisations do not accept donations from anyone who has had a history of cancer at all. Other organisations such as the American Red Cross consider the person’s eligibility to depend on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease, you are not eligible to donate. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been at least 5 years since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Some low-risk cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin do not require a 5 year waiting period.
in the UK you cant donate blood either, dont know about organs
I would think that it would be universal. Some chemo drugs (maybe all?) accumulate in the body. It actually makes good sense to not accept donations from cancer patients.
It depends on the type of cancer you had and how long ago you had it. That is what a nurse told me when I asked her if I could donate blood considering my bout with cancer years earlier.
It may depend on the type of cancer. I had Lymphoma, which is a blood cancer, and I can never give blood again.
Best wishes
It’s universal. You can’t donate blood or any organs. First because of toxic effects of chemo and radiotherapy, then because in all organs may be malignant cells from the primary tumor. So nobody wants to get an organ with cancer in it. It is a risk nobody can take.
Cristiana
i was told i could no longer give blood or be an organ doner. i live in the states. you can donate your body to research after you die. mine is going to indiana university. if you are serious about it call and they will send forms.