Cancer patients are social distancing while dying


The novel coronavirus has taken millions of lives worldwide. It is assumed to stay with us for five more years. But, virus is not the only worry, people with pre-existing health complications are at higher risk of the infection. Some of such vulnerable group are heart disease, cancer, diabetes and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). While, patients with cancer are more likely to die of Covid-19 than of those without any malignant disease.
A scientific study
A study published in the Cancer Discovery journal, by Indian origin researchers, emphasised on the impact of coronavirus on cancer patients and a need to protect them. Vikas Mehta, co-lead author of the study from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the US, said that close monitoring of the cancer patients for dangerous symptoms will make it easier to identify and prevent the patients from contracting Covid-19. The research also concentrated on informing states and communities about the unique vulnerability of cancer patients. About 218 cancer patients who tested positive for Covid-19 from March 18 to April 8 at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York were assessed for the study. Out of which 61 cancer patients died of coronavirus, which is dramatically a high fatality rate of 28%. Covid-19 patients with blood cancer like leukemia and lymphoma, had the highest rate of 37%. And, patients with solid malignancies, mortality rate was 25%. The data suggests that strategies should be developed to minimise the potential exposure to coronavirus by re- evaluating therapies and not concentrate more on lifesaving cancer therapies. While, certain underlying conditions like older age, hypertension, heart disease and chronic lung disease were significantly associated with the increased mortality among cancer patients with Covid-19.
Linking the bridge of illness
According to a Chinese research study, cancer patients are three times more likely to die of coronavirus compared to others. The prime reason to this is, treatment options like chemotherapy will weaken the immune system making it prone to infections.
Quoting the success stories
Ghecemy Lopez, thyroid and breast cancer survivor, wrote on coping strategies for the Covid-19 pandemic, “Facing cancer twice has taught me to embrace my ever- changing life status. Survivors have so many lessons to share. We’re experts in adapting to ‘new normalcy’- even before it became popular”.
The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has felt a little familiar for those diagnose with cancer earlier. The cancer patients had gone through the phases of Googling and data-gathering; denial and disbelief; hand washing and hyper vigilance and; uncertainty and panicky behavior. People undergone surgery or radiation or chemotherapy or bone marrow transplants or other immuno-compromising treatments are routinely advised to stay down at home, avoid crowds and friends with colds, skipping weddings and air travel. They purchase their medications through anti-cancer medicine supplier.
Guidelines to prevent Covid-19 infection among cancer patients

·         Stay at home and follow social distancing. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Also, maintain at least 6 feet distance from people in public.
·         Maintain good hygiene. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol bases sanitizer, especially after touching someone or some surface in the public place. Avoid touching your face unnecessarily. Carry a sanitizer whenever you move out.
·         Commonly touched surfaces at home should be cleaned and disinfected. Ask your family members to keep doorknobs, sinks, tables, switches, phones and other frequently touched surfaces cleaned with disinfectant liquid.
·         Consume healthy diet, including more of immunity boosting foods. Have vitamin C and zinc containing foods such as oranges, broccoli, lentils, eggs and others.
·         Avail your medication from cance rmedicines provider in India.
Ending note
The whole country and the entire world is at the shock to digest what is it about virus and its diagnosis. It is definitely not another type of cancer, but a brand-new coronavirus to which we have no immunity and treatment so far. Cancer patients has accepted the fate of life when they were diagnosed of their respective cancer. The pandemic virus is just another type of cancer to them which they ought to fight for their survival. The medical science and research is still in the naive stage to establish the accurate link between the cancer and coronavirus. 

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