We thank the National Cancer Institute for the following information.
What is coronavirus, or COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals. Governments across the world are belatedly responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that is now a world pandemic The virus has been named SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes has been named coronavirus disease 2019, (COVID-19), otherwise known as the Coronavirus.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and is a serious public health risk, there being as yet no vaccine for immunisation from COVID-19. It can cause mild to serious illness that can lead to death. Most severe illness from COVID-19 occurs in older adults.
If I have cancer, am I at higher risk of getting or dying from COVID-19?
Some types of cancer and treatments such as chemotherapy can weaken your immune system and may increase your risk of any infection, including with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. During chemotherapy, there will be times in your treatment cycle when you are at increased risk of infection.
Adults and children with serious chronic health conditions, including cancer, are at higher risk of developing more serious complications from contagious illnesses such as COVID-19.
If I have cancer, how can I protect myself?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, or specific treatment for it. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Precautions for avoiding COVID-19 are the same as for other contagious respiratory illnesses, such as influenza (flu).
Governments are recommending or ordering preventive measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 and respiratory infections, including:
- Avoid large social gatherings and close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid unnecessary person-to-person contact, such as handshakes, hugging or kissing
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; and before and after coming in contact with others
- Get a flu vaccine
- Governments recommend or order additional actions for those people at high risk of developing serious complications from Covid-19, including:
- Stay home as much as possible
- Make sure you have access to several weeks of medication and supplies in case you need to stay home for prolonged periods of time
- When you do go out in public, avoid crowds
- Avoid cruise ship travel and nonessential air travel
I receive cancer treatment at a medical facility. What should I do about getting treatment?
If you are receiving treatment for your cancer, please call your health care provider before going to your next treatment appointment and follow their guidance. As health care systems adjust their activities to address COVID-19, doctors treating cancer patients may also have to change when and how cancer treatment and follow-up visits are carried out. The risk of missing a cancer treatment or medical appointment must be weighed against the possibility of exposing a patient to infection.
Some cancer treatments can be safely delayed, while others cannot. Some routine follow-up visits may be safely delayed or conducted through telemedicine. If you take oral cancer drugs, you may be able to have prescribed treatments sent directly to you, so you don’t have to go to a pharmacy. A hospital or other medical facility may ask you to go to a specific clinic, away from those treating people sick with coronavirus.
The coronavirus situation is changing daily, with governments, states and cities making changes in how they are handling quarantine and critical health care, so check with your provider as needed.
I participate in a clinical trial at a medical facility. What should I do?
If you are in a cancer treatment clinical trial, please call your clinical trial research team and follow their guidance. Physicians and scientists across the world are working with doctors and health care staff who carry out clinical trials to implement specific measures within clinical trials networks that will address the current challenges of providing care to patients enrolled in clinical trials. The health of each clinical trial patient is the trial’s most important concern, and trial sponsors are flexible about how clinical trial treatments can be completed and when tests and assessments must be done.
What should I do if I have symptoms of an infection?
Call your health care provider if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and have infection symptoms.
Further Reading
Centres for Disease Control, USA
COVID-19 Symptoms
NHS, England
About Coronavirus; Information and Guidance
Australian Government Department of Health
COVID-19 Health Alert
Government of Canada
Coronavirus Disease
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Latest Outputs on COVID-19
USA. National Cancer Institute
Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
