Important Advice for Cancer Patients During Fire Season

Brushfires and wildfires affect a variety of states during fire season, making it especially important for patients with cancer and compromised immune systems to protect themselves from the harm and toxins that wildfire smoke contains.

Wildfire Smoke Health Effects

The biggest health threat is from fine particles in smoke that can penetrate deep into your lungs. These may cause a range of health problems, from burning eyes and a runny nose to aggravated chronic heart and lung diseases.

Fire Smoke and Lung Cancer

Wildfire smoke can be particularly dangerous for cancer patients. For example, one 2023 study found that lung cancer patients who were exposed to wildfire smoke a year or less after surgery were 48% less likely to survive when compared against those who weren't. 

How to Protect Yourself From Wildfire Smoke

It's important to take precautions during fire season to reduce your wildfire smoke exposure: 
  • Stay indoors.
  • Reduce activities that would make you breathe heavier.
  • Reduce sources of indoor pollution (smoking, vaping, spraying aerosols, frying, lighting candles). Avoid vacuuming, which can recirculate particles.
  • Use your air conditioner, particularly if it has a filter.
  • If available, use room air cleaners, especially if they have HEPA filters.
  • If you have to go outdoors, even for a brief time, wear a mask or respirator, which may be purchased at many home improvement stores.
  • If you experience any difficulty breathing, you should go to an emergency room for treatment.

At City of Hope®, our facilities are air purified and provide a safe environment from the smoke. If you are a patient at our Duarte main campus and have any questions or concerns, please call our 24-hour Nurse Triage Line at (626) 218-7133. If you are a patient being treated at one of our other sites, contact the physician overseeing your care.

For more information and safety tips, the following resources are available to you: