When considering plasma donation (apheresis), a donor’s medical history is carefully reviewed to ensure the safety of both the donor and the recipient. Eligibility for a person with a past cancer diagnosis is nuanced, depending on the specific type of malignancy, its stage, and the time elapsed since successful treatment. Regulatory standards, established by bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and organizations such as the AABB, govern the criteria for donation. The decision to accept or defer a donor is a complex assessment of individual risk factors informed by evidence-based guidelines.
Understanding Deferral Status
A history of cancer can result in two primary outcomes for a prospective plasma donor: a temporary or a permanent deferral. A deferral is a disqualification from donating, serving as a safety measure to protect the donor and the recipient from potential disease transmission. Temporary deferrals mean the individual is ineligible to donate for a specific period, after which they may return for reassessment and potential acceptance. Reasons for a temporary deferral are often tied to recent medical procedures, certain medications, or short-term health issues expected to resolve.
Conversely, a permanent deferral means the individual is restricted from donating plasma at any center. This determination is made when a past medical condition presents a persistent and unacceptable risk to the recipient or the donor’s own health. All donation centers must adhere to federal and industry guidelines to maintain the safety of the plasma supply.
Cancer Types That Prevent Donation
Certain cancer diagnoses result in permanent exclusion from plasma donation, regardless of the time elapsed since treatment. Cancers that affect the blood and the lymphatic system generally fall into this category because of the systemic nature of the disease. Specifically, individuals who have had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s disease, are not eligible to donate.
This permanent deferral exists because these malignancies involve cells that circulate throughout the body, raising concerns about potential residual disease in the donated product. Additionally, cancers that have metastasized (spread significantly from their original site) also result in permanent deferral. The severity and widespread nature of metastatic disease are considered incompatible with the health requirements for plasma donation. The strict exclusion criteria are designed to protect vulnerable patients who rely on plasma-derived medicines.
Donation After Remission and Waiting Periods
For many other types of cancer, a successful outcome and a specified waiting period may allow for future plasma donation. The least restrictive cases involve highly localized skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. If these low-risk cancers have been completely removed and the site has healed, the donor may be eligible to donate with no required deferral period or only a very short one.
For most other solid tumors, including common diagnoses such as early-stage breast, prostate, or colon cancer, a temporary deferral is applied. The standard rule requires a waiting period of at least 12 months after the completion of successful treatment with no evidence of recurrence. This 12-month period begins only after the final therapeutic measure, whether it was surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, has been administered.
Melanoma, a more serious form of skin cancer, also requires a 12-month waiting period following successful treatment and demonstrated absence of recurrence. The precise length of the required waiting period can vary based on the cancer’s stage and the specific protocols of the donation center. The purpose of this waiting time is to ensure the donor has fully recovered their health and that the risk of recurrence is acceptably low.
The Donor Screening and Interview Process
Eligibility for a cancer survivor is determined during the mandatory screening process at the donation facility. Every prospective donor must complete a health history questionnaire that details past and present medical conditions, including any history of cancer. Following the questionnaire, a private and confidential interview is conducted by screening personnel to review the medical history.
During this interview, the individual must be honest and prepared to discuss the specifics of their cancer diagnosis, treatment regimen, and current status. The donation center may require supporting documentation, such as letters from the treating oncologist or treatment summaries, to verify the date of remission and the type of cancer. The final decision to accept or defer a donor rests with the medical director of the facility, who interprets the donor’s history against the established federal guidelines. Individuals with a cancer history should consult directly with their local plasma center and their personal physician before attempting to donate.