A cancer patient has issued a critical warning about a lesser-known risk of chemotherapy, urging people not to share a bathroom with someone undergoing treatment.

Misty Myers, 42, who is currently battling stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer, shared her cautionary advice on TikTok, revealing how chemotherapy can pose hidden dangers to others in the household. As a mother of eight, Misty explained the precautions that should be taken to avoid the risks associated with chemotherapy waste.

“It’s recommended that the person receiving chemotherapy use a separate bathroom from everyone else in the house,” Misty advised in her video. She explained that if a separate bathroom is not an option, it’s crucial to flush the toilet multiple times—three times, to be exact—while keeping the lid down. Thoroughly cleaning the toilet after each use is also important. The reason? Flushing a toilet with the lid open can create airborne water droplets containing chemotherapy chemicals. These droplets can settle on surrounding surfaces, potentially posing a health risk to others.

Misty emphasized the potential dangers that even indirect contact with chemotherapy waste can cause. She warned that people exposed to it might experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, skin rashes, and vomiting. Long-term exposure to chemotherapy chemicals can have even more severe effects, including an increased risk of developing cancer and fertility issues. “There’s a higher risk of infertility for cancer patients after chemotherapy,” Misty noted. “But it’s important to remember that exposure to others in the household could also lead to long-term health consequences.”

To prevent these risks, Misty urged families to be vigilant about hygiene, recommending the use of disinfectants like Clorox for cleaning any affected surfaces in the home.

Health experts also support this advice, with OncoLink, a well-regarded cancer information resource, noting that while the risks of limited exposure to chemotherapy waste are not entirely understood, it’s best to minimize contact when possible. The website further explains that extended exposure to chemotherapy waste, such as that found in healthcare settings, has been linked to birth defects, miscarriages, and an increased risk of cancer. As a result, caregivers and household members should take precautions to safeguard their health.

Beyond the issue of household exposure, chemotherapy itself carries significant risks. Last year, experts raised alarms about a potentially life-threatening side effect that affects one in every 50 patients. This complication can destroy healthy cells and lead to organ failure, but it can often be prevented if doctors screen patients for a specific enzyme deficiency before beginning treatment.

Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which includes both cancerous and healthy cells, such as those in the blood and hair follicles. As a result, chemotherapy is notorious for side effects like hair loss and weakened immunity. Despite these challenges, chemotherapy remains a critical treatment for many cancer patients, and its life-saving potential cannot be overstated.

Misty’s message, however, highlights the importance of safety precautions not just for cancer patients but for their families and others in their living environments. The risks associated with chemotherapy waste may be lesser-known, but they are real and should not be ignored. For patients and their loved ones, ensuring proper hygiene and taking steps to minimize exposure can make a significant difference in safeguarding health.