Measles and Cancer: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Though measles was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2020, this contagious disease is making a comeback. For people with weakened immune systems from cancer or cancer treatment, the risks of measles are more serious. It can also disrupt your treatment.

The basics of measles

“Measles is caused by the measles virus, which is one of the most highly contagious viruses known to humans,” said  Merry Jennifer Markham, MD, FACP, FASCO, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Florida.

The measles virus causes an infection that begins with a high fever and at least 1 of 3 symptoms:

• Runny nose or nasal congestion
• Cough
• Red, watery eyes

Measles then develops into a body rash with small red spots, which typically begin on the face and spread downward.

Measles may cause other complications, too, including diarrhea and ear infections. Measles can also lead to pneumonia, the most common cause of death related to the virus.

How can measles impact people with cancer?

People with certain types of cancer and people who are in active cancer treatment often have weakened immune systems. As a result, they may be more likely to contract measles and to experience complications from the illness.

“If someone thinks they’ve been exposed to measles, they should let their physician know immediately,” said Dr. Markham. “For people who are at high risk for complications, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) can be administered and may help provide some temporary immunity.” IVIG is a type of medication that can help both prevent and reduce the severity of an infection.

If you know or suspect you’ve been exposed to measles, you need to stay away from other people. “Because measles is highly contagious and is transmitted through respiratory droplets and by the airborne route, any person undergoing cancer treatment would need to isolate,” said Dr. Markham.

After exposure to measles, you should postpone your cancer care appointments until you know you haven’t developed it. If you do get measles, you’ll need to wait until you fully recover from the virus before beginning treatment again. Recovery from measles can take several weeks.

What to know about the measles vaccine

To prevent measles most effectively, get vaccinated against the virus. The MMR vaccine includes protection for 3 viruses, measles, mumps, and rubella. MMR is a 2-dose vaccine. The best protection comes from receiving both doses.

Check your medical history or ask your doctor to see if you received an MMR vaccine as a child or at some point in the past. If you don’t have a written record of immunization or a lab test that shows you have immunity against measles, ask your doctor if you need an MMR vaccine. People born before 1957 likely had measles and are considered immune, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

People with weakened immune systems cannot receive the MMR vaccine during treatment because the vaccine contains live viruses.

If you’re about to begin cancer treatment and haven’t yet received the MMR vaccine, talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated before starting treatment. Even if you’re unable to receive the MMR vaccine yourself, it’s important to check if everyone in your household is up to date on their vaccinations. This can help protect you from contracting the measles virus.

Questions to ask your doctor about measles

If you have cancer and you’ve been exposed to measles, talk with your doctor right away.

Questions to ask include:

• Can you recommend or prescribe any medicine to prevent measles from developing?
• How will a measles exposure affect my cancer care? Will I need to reschedule my treatments or other appointments?
• Since I’ve been exposed, how long should I isolate from others?
• What signs and symptoms should I watch for, and for how long?
• If I develop signs and symptoms of measles, is there any treatment for it? And what other steps should I take to prevent complications?

Dr. Markham is an ASCO member. You can learn more about measles and vaccine resources on ASCO’s website.