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If a person has a weakened immune system, are they more likely to get cancer?

My friend has just had a malignant tumor removed, and is planning on taking a trip to India in two months. I'm worried that her weakened immune system combined with the exposure to foreign diseases may make her immune system even weaker. I'm afraid such a trip could make her body even more ill, and that her cancer may return. What do you think?

Public Comments

1. Exposure to diseases and disease-causing organisms actually strengthens your immune system in the same way as vaccines do, by stimulating the production of antibodies. Interferon is a substance used by the body against cancers, too. If her immune system is actually weakened (depends on what sort of neoplasm she had), the risk of contracting infections would be the main worry, rather then weakening the immune system further. This would also be the case if she had chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which damage the immune system as an inevitable side effect. Psychologically, the sunny weather (not wise to go in Indian summer [April-July]) in November is like the British summer (Indian winter), and might generally help boost mood and morale.
2. You know KBS, that's what they say,.. but I have a tough time believing it. As a cancer survivor, I just can't believe that's the reason for my cancer.. not that stress didn't contribute... I would say it was more of a hormonal matter. Now if I had chemo or radiation, I would think that my immune system would be weakened for a while. Anyways, after my Mom passed and while I was on hormones to stop my cancer, I cleared Mom's house out moving heavy furniture, painting, etc mostly on my own. Do you think I was going to tell my brother's I was doing this while undergoing cancer treatment? Hell no.. Anyways, I was deemed clear of cancer during that timespan about 5 years ago and still never took the surgery I was initially told to take. Without knowing what form of treatment your friend had and how she feels, I don't know.
3. As a cancer survivor, I would like to weigh in on this subject. Her immune system at this time is going to be partially determined by several factors. Myself, I was way anemic from blood loss during my surgery. Also, if she had treatment. Chemo virtually takes your immune system away. It is poison used to kill cancer and it kills a lot of stuff, not the least of which is your immune system. Her situation is dependent on her type of cancer, her treatment for the cancer and etc. Myself, I would lean towards saying she needs to get her doctors approval to go. I would think that she would be incurring a risk if she has been through certain treatments. Also, she will have to take certain inoculations to get her passport and she may not be OK to get those. The key is her doctor. But if she is insistent, just share your worries and stand back. Outside of calling her doctor or her family yourself, she is going to go if she wants to... Good luck. After my cancer and all that I went through, I would not have felt like or have been up to any trip of that type for at least 6 months. Jan