Editing Chemotherapy (section)

=== Hazards ===
Hazardous drugs expose health care workers to serious health risks. Many studies show that antineoplastic drugs could have many side effects on the reproductive system, such as fetal loss, congenital malformation, and infertility. Health care workers who are exposed to antineoplastic drugs on many occasions have adverse reproductive outcomes such as spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and congenital malformations. Moreover, studies have shown that exposure to these drugs leads to menstrual cycle irregularities. Antineoplastic drugs may also increase the risk of learning disabilities among children of health care workers who are exposed to these hazardous substances.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Connor |first1=Thomas H. |last2=Lawson |first2=Christina C. |last3=Polovich |first3=Martha |last4=McDiarmid |first4=Melissa A. |date=2014 |title=Reproductive Health Risks Associated with Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic Drugs in Health Care Settings: A Review of the Evidence |journal=Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |volume=56 |issue=9 |pages=901–910 |doi=10.1097/JOM.0000000000000249 |issn=1076-2752 |pmc=4569003 |pmid=25153300}}</ref>

Moreover, these drugs have [[carcinogen]]ic effects. In the past five decades, multiple studies have shown the carcinogenic effects of exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Similarly, there have been research studies that linked alkylating agents with humans developing leukemias. Studies have reported elevated risk of breast cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and cancer of the rectum among nurses who are exposed to these drugs. Other investigations revealed that there is a potential [[Genotoxicity|genotoxic]] effect from anti-neoplastic drugs to workers in health care settings.<ref name=":0" />