What Causes Immune Defects In Breast Cancer?

Posted on Sun, 19 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 19 Apr 2015 Answered on

Fri, 8 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently completed chemo, radiation and herceptin infusion for Stage 4 Breast Cancer (Radical Mastectomy as well). My landlord is having an exterminator spray under kitchen area (landlord claims he saw roaches under the sink but he is delusional - I haven't had ANY bugs for over 3 years ever since I treated my kitchen with Combat brand roach gel). Is the exterminator visit/spraying a hazard for me? Do I have any rights to tell the landlord he can't do this? If so, I will print out your reply and show it to him.

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not wise

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and I understand your concern. Your landlord should spray in such situations. Your recent 4th stage malignancy chemo and radio has put your immune system compromised and the slight smell of the perfume which is not needed at all as per your claim .

I suggest you should be shifted to some other place for at least a few days until the smell goes completely.

Also they should consult pest control specialists they may have some less irritating suitable in places with immunocompromised residents.

I will not suggest taking a risk of spraying a lethal dose of pesticide in a house having an immune fried patient unless I want a lawsuit.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and i am sure your landlord understands it. Plus you pay the rent. Your choice whether you want the spray or not. He gets the rent. That's what he should be worried about.
Take care don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (19 minutes later)

My landlord has not been very sympathetic to us in the past (regarding other issues) and he has not offered to "displace" a tenant when exterminators visit/spray. So, the bottom line is, I should print out your reply and show it to him, as a back-up to a reasonable request for NO extermination treatments?

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
:(

Detailed Answer:
I don't understand these laws and landlord tenat relation . I am not an attorney . I am a doctor and to understand this you need to be a human being not some lawyer.

You should consider keeping distance from the sprays. Clean aseptic environment with minimal toxicities is all you need.

I hope it helps.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (0 minute later)

Also, I think you meant "should NOT spray in such situations" ( your first reply left out the word "not"). And this isn't a concern over "perfume smell" - goog grief, pesticides are POISON!
And I don't have the finances to go to a hotel.

Please provide a detailed reply that states all the valid answers why a Breast Cancer survivor should not have pesticides sprayed in the home. Then I can print that out to show the landlord. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Your exposure is hazardous due to immune compromise

Detailed Answer:
As I said chemotherapy radiotherapy makes a person immune compromised. Your exposure to that spray is hazardous.

That should not be a problem if you stay out of that place for at least complete eradication of of the pesticides.

Your contact should be prevented. Pest Control is mandatory on its own. But as I said we are not attorneys. We just have to make sure of our patients safety.

Take care
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (5 minutes later)

Dr. XXXXXXX thank you so much. You are awesome! Best regards, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
:)

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome miss XXXXXXX

I will be here for you if you need me

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar