Health Answer

Apparently there is a new treatment method for (I think) colon cancer, or something of the sort, in which the patient is intentionally infected with Tuberculosis, which supposedly eats this kind of cancer for breakfast. If this is true (I haven’t researched it) it sounds like a potentially beneficial new cancer treatment that could save lives.
So, a man in my church has recently been diagnosed with this sort of cancer. He has undergone surgery, which went well, and now the doctors intend to try this TB therepy (if that’s what you would call it) to make sure the cancer is gone. This is all good and well.
This gentleman also intends to continue his daily and weekly activities despite this illness. Apparently his doctors approve of this. He will be taking several percautions to prevent spreading TB to others he is around: wearing a mask, sanitizing any rest room he uses after he uses it, and probably several other things as well. He also intends to continue to attend church during the time of his infection. Everyone is cheering him on. In my heart, I am too. But I have some concerns about the situation.
I am no expert on TB. I do know these things: It’s bad and its contageous. I know it can be spread through the air, and it can be spread through contact with bodily fluids, including sweat and saliva. If we attended a large church, with a balcony that this man could sit in or something of the sort and plenty of open space – I would probably be marginally concerned. But we attend a very small church. The sanctuary has limited space, there is only one restroom, and add to that that we have a potluck lunch every afternoon after service in the same room.
Add in that I live in redneck country. Granted, I tend to be a bit OCD about sanitation, but I feel that many around me, especially the older folk, lack awareness of sanitation. For instance, I usually only get one helping of food because of those who might tap the serving spoon on their plate as they serve themselves, which is a common practice around here, even when they get seconds and have residue of their saliva on the plate – which I find rather gross. I love my church family, and I mean them no disrespect, but I nonetheless cannot help but wonder how well they will practice the necessary sanitation to prevent the spread of TB in such a situation. Even if I can avoid infection with my over-cautiousness, I am concerned about someone else contracting TB and transmitting it before we become aware.
If it were just myself on the line, I would be only mildly concerned. I cannot afford to get sick and miss work, but I also have a strong immune system that eats germs for lunch. My wife, however, has been ill in the past. She also tends to get jobs working with children, such as daycare, which you cannot do if you have a positive TB skin test (meaning that you have ever had TB). If she got sick, it would endanger her ability to work at what she loves. She is also planning to start helping another friend of ours who is very ill and has virtually no immune system at the moment. Accidentally transmitting TB to her, I would speculate, could be fatal.
I am all for a person fighting to continue their routine when faced with illness or injury. I am cheering this man on for his courage, but I am also very concerned for the health of myself, my wife, and my church family. And since I know little of TB, I feel very uncomfortable not knowing what I’m dealing with, or being able to objectively determine if my concerns are justified. On one hand, the doctor seems to think it will be alright. On the other hand, doctors have been known to be wrong, I do not kow the individual doctor who said this or his reputation, and I would LOVE a second, third, and fourth oppinion on something this important and potentially problematic.
I would appreciate any information, sources, suggestions, or personal experiences anyone may have on this matter. Links and references are welcome. Thanks for any answers in advance, and God bless!