There is a wonderful woman in my book club who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is doing very well and her prognosis is excellent, by the way. She will begin radiation therapy soon. I have heard that pregnant women should stay away from someone undergoing this treatment. Does anyone know if that is accurate? I have also heard that it depends on the type of radiation therapy that they are undergoing. I don't want to ask because I don't want to make her feel like she shouldn't go. If I shouldn't be around her, then I will just simply make an excuse and never mention anything.
Re: Radiation and pregnancy
As an expecting radiologic technologist I can assure you there are very little types of radiation harmful to you. Although I am not a radiation therapist, I am still pretty certain there are not any types of radiation therapy for breast cancer that is "active". Once your friend leaves her treatment there is no risk to anyone. Her radiation is only active while she is recieving treatment in the office. There are types of radiation therapy for thyroid (as mentioned by PP) that are active and radiation seeds implanted for prostate cancer that are always active, but these are the only types I am aware of. Radiation has to be active to be harmful.