Cancer & Corona: A patient’s Dilemma

Who can get the COVID-19 Novel coronavirus infection?  

Anyone who comes in contact with this virus can get infected. Most of those who acquire it will experience only mild to moderate symptoms which can be managed with home care; however, the following can get severe infections requiring hospitalisation and ICU care.

• Immunocompromised patients.
• > 60 yrs. of age
• Those who have other health issues like Diabetes, Hypertension, Cancer, Heart ailment
• Patients with lung problems, smokers, etc.

Which cancer do patients need to be careful?

1. All those patients who are undergoing treatment in the form of Surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy need to be extra cautious since they are at risk due to reduced immune status.
2. Patients who have had cancer before also need to take extra precautions since it was shown in the Chinese study {https://doi.org/10.1016/S14702045(20)30096-6} that those who have had cancer are at higher risk of developing more severe infections as compared to the general population; hence, they need to be aware and be more careful.

What can I do to stay away from getting Infections?

One must follow the guidelines issued by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research on precautions that one needs to take to avoid contracting the illness.

1. Wash hands with soap & water for at least 20 seconds.
2. Frequent cleaning of common touchpoints at home like door handles, knobs, fridge, etc.
3. Keep social distancing. Keep your face covered by a mask if you go out to buy groceries, as you are at high risk of developing severe infections
4. Avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth with your hands. Keep washing your hands frequently. Maintain good hygiene.

What can I do to keep my immunity high and up?

Your best bet against the coronavirus is to take precautions to not have it, and the second-best is to keep your immunity levels high. We have made a video blog based on scientific evidence on how you can keep your immunity up. You can click the link and watch this very important video.

I am a cancer survivor, on my regular follow-ups. Should I go to the hospital for routine checkups?

Follow-ups for most cancer patients happen in gaps of around 3 to 6 months, and there is no hard rule that it has to be on exactly the same dates. Hence, you can wait a couple of weeks and find the best time after discussing with your doctor when to visit. Remember, one should avoid crowded places during the COVID-19 outbreak; hence, delaying a routine checkup for a couple of months won’t cause any harm.

I am on Chemotherapy or planned for radiotherapy. Can I postpone my treatment?

Delaying treatment will put you in harm’s way. The best thing is to discuss with your doctor strategies to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection while not affecting your Cancer treatment. At MAX, we tailor chemotherapy regimens or delay surgery and add chemotherapy on a case-by-case basis, but all such decisions should be taken along with the treating doctor.

What else do I need to know?

You need to know the following things

• We at the MAX Institute of Cancer Care are always with you in whatever difficult time.
• Apart from immunity, will power of an individual is the biggest strength against fighting Corona Virus and there is no bigger will power present in anyone than a cancer patient/survivor.
• Have faith and know that this too shall pass.