Coronavirus Guide for Cancer Patients
The Latest on Vaccines and Boosters
Protecting Yourself From Covid-19
- COVID-19 has delayed treatments and surgeries
- Many cancer patients are going through treatment alone
- Cancer patients and healthcare workers have shown resilience
Stories of Hope, Bravery
- COVID-19 has delayed treatments and surgeries
- Many cancer patients are going through treatment alone
- Cancer patients and healthcare workers have shown resilience
Additional Resources
As the coronavirus spreads in the United States, doctors have been clear that the risks associated with the virus are most severe for adults over 60 and people with underlying conditions or the immunocompromised, which includes patients with cancer. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has provided a summary of the COVID-19 situation thus far.
- Here is the latest information for cancer patients worried about Coronavirus produced by the largest association of oncologists (ASCO).
- According to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s message to current cancer patients, patients with blood malignancies are at most risk and patients who are in active treatment for any type of cancer are also at risk.
- For more information about precautions that cancer patients can take to protect against the coronavirus, see Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s information sheet.
- The pandemic has led to increased anxiety for people around the world
- Addressing one worry at a time can help alleviate stress
- Tele-therapy is also widely available to address mental health issues during quarantine
Mental Health During the Pandemic
- The pandemic has led to increased anxiety for people around the world
- Addressing one worry at a time can help alleviate stress
- Tele-therapy is also widely available to address mental health issues during quarantine
Taking Precautions
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided a number of precautions that people at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 can take, including:
- Stay home as much as possible
- Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
- If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
- Clean your hands often — wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
- If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places — elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
- Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
- Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones).
- Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
- Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships.
We can also use some more reliable Coronavirus information. So we got one of the leading experts and here you go! Watch the tape above and read down: The coronavirus disease 2019 (or COVID-19) has, as of March 11, affected 115,000 people worldwide, and killed more than 4,000. Naturally, many people are really worried... Read More