A port-a-cath offers easy vascular access to medicines and antibiotics for individuals with chronic illnesses, and can be left in place for months to years.
If you have a port-a-cath, or are thinking of having a port-a-cath applied, no matter if that is for the administration of chemotherapy or other medicines, then you may be wondering whether you are able to swim and/or exercise with it.
Here at Lumina Interventional Radiology, we can answer this for you.
Let’s take a closer look at whether you can swim and exercise with a port-a-cath.
Can You Swim with a Port-a-Cath?
When it comes to having a chemo port and swimming, people often believe that it is not possible to get your port-a-cath wet. This is due to the increased risk of infection, particularly as individuals undergoing chemotherapy will likely have a more compromised immune system.
However, it is, in fact, still possible to swim with a port-a-cath, even if you are receiving chemotherapy.
Port-a-cath insertion is done subcutaneously, meaning that it is implanted under your skin. As a result, you can swim with a port-a-cath in place. Please note that it is still recommended to wait until your port-a-cath site has healed (which can take up to two weeks) before you swim with your port-a-cath.
Exercising with a Port-a-Cath
When it comes to exercise, the advice is the same. You can exercise and play sports with a port-a-cath, but strenuous or vigorous exercise should be avoided. Do not attempt to exercise before your port-a-cath site has healed. For example, if your port-a-cath was inserted in your chest, it is a good idea to avoid upper body exercises that may pull on the incision until your chest area has recovered.
Many individuals with a port-a-cath experience no restrictions on exercise and activities, and have resumed their daily routines with no hassle.
At Lumina Interventional Radiology, we specialise in chemo port insertion or port-a-cath insertion for cancer patients and individuals who require long-term antibiotics or blood transfusions. Our medical professionals are here to help when it comes to port-a-cath chemotherapy – for more information about our chemo port-a-cath, or for any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the Lumina team today.
FAQs
1. Can you swim with a port-a-cath?
Yes, you can swim with a port-a-cath once the insertion site has fully healed. We recommend waiting until the wound has healed, which may take up to two weeks.
2. Can you exercise with a chemo port (port-a-cath)?
Yes, you can exercise with a port-a-cath. Avoid strenuous or vigorous activity while you recover, and do not exercise until the port site has healed.
3. Can you play sports with a port-a-cath?
Yes, you can play sports with a port-a-cath, but avoid strenuous or vigorous activity until you have healed.
4. What exercises should you avoid with a port in your chest?
Avoid strenuous upper-body exercises that may pull on the incision until your chest area has recovered. Wait until the port site has healed before you return to training.
5. Does swimming with a port-a-cath increase infection risk, especially if you’re on chemotherapy?
People worry about infection risk on chemotherapy, but you can still swim with a port-a-cath, even if you are receiving chemotherapy. The key is to wait until the site has healed before swimming.
6. What is a port-a-cath?
A port-a-cath is a device placed under the skin that provides long-term vascular access for medicines such as chemotherapy, antibiotics, or other treatments. Lumina notes it can stay in place for months to years.