CANCER TREATMENT CENTERS REQUIRE COVID-19 TEST BEFORE CHEMOTHERAPY
People with cancer, people who are in active cancer treatment, older patients, and people with other serious chronic medical conditions, such as lung disease, diabetes, or heart disease, are at higher risk for the more severe form of COVID-19 that could lead to morbidity or mortality. People with active or progressing cancer may be at higher risk than those whose cancer is cured and who are not on any cancer related treatment.
Cancer treatment is very important. You will want to weigh the benefits of treatment against your risks from the new coronavirus. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should have a discussion with your oncologist about the impact of this on your cancer treatment. Some cancer treatment centers may require a negative COVID-19 test before chemotherapy or other cancer treatment starts again. However, some patients with COVID-19 continue to test positive even after recovering from their symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with cancer but have not started treatment yet, you might be able to wait with some kinds of cancer, but other kinds need to be treated right away. Talk with your doctor to better understand your cancer, how fast it is growing, and how treatment might impact your risk for infection.
Cancer treatment which includes chemotherapy/radiotherapy or immunotherapy affects your immune system. Patients with a weakened immune system may be at greater risk of infection because their defenses against infection are lowered. Bloodrelated cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, those undergoing chemotherapy treatment or bone marrow transplant, individuals with more advanced disease, and those with cancer involving the lungs are most vulnerable.
For prevention of getting infected with COVID- 19, same rules apply for people with cancer as for those without cancer: Be sure to wash your hands well. Avoid touching your face and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Wear a face covering or mask. If you have been vaccinated and live in an area with low COVID-19 transmission rates, you are able to return to normal activities. In places with high or increasing rates of COVID-19, masking is still important. Experts agree that the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people with cancer, cancer survivors, and those currently on cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The best available evidence suggests the odds of dying or experiencing severe complications from COVID-19 are 2 times higher if you are someone with cancer than a person without cancer. The available COVID-19 vaccines are effective against most variants of the virus, including the Delta variant. However, variants may still cause illness in some people who are vaccinated. The Omicron variant, for example, is more infectious than the Delta variant and may cause breakthrough infections in people who are vaccinated. Booster doses are important in helping lower the risk of a recurrent infection.
Medical treatment for cancer patients with very severe COVID-19, remains hospitalization, supportive care, oxygen, Ramdesvir, steroids or monoclonal antibodies. Treatment must be strictly as per the guidance of intensivist and oncologist. Non severe cases may continue home isolation.
People with cancer and COVID-19 should avoid non-essential travel, especially if the travel will involve areas with high or increasing rates of COVID-19 and always follow state government as well as national guidelines.
Children suffering from cancer and COVID-19, may have milder manifestations of COVID-19 than adult patients with cancer, but all the precautions as advised by pediatric oncologist should be followed. Children > 15 years, who have finished cancer treatment should get vaccine. Special care should be taken for those children who underwent bone marrow transplant, high dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The coronavirus situation changes often, so keep up with the news and latest guidelines, without letting it stress you out too much. Also, make sure you stay in touch -- from a safe distance -- with loved ones. Try to get some exercise, if you are up to it, and get outside for a break. That is fine to do, if you stay at least 6 feet away from other people. Your health is about more than your cancer, so take care of your mental and emotional health, as well as your physical health, during this especially stressful time.