Q&A from cancer charities – UPDATE: 18 March 2020
Q1. Do I need to do anything differently as someone who is being treated / in remission from cancer/living with a chronic cancer?
The Government is advising that people with cancer should be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. They are:
Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough;
Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible;
Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information;
Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs.
Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.
Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.
The detailed advice can be found at GOV.UK.
Some people with cancer are more at risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract the COVID-19 infection:
People having chemotherapy, or who have received chemotherapy in the last 3 months
People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
People having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
People having intensive (radical) radiotherapy for lung cancer
People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
If you are in this category, next week the NHS in England will directly contact you with advice the more stringent measures you should take in order to keep yourself and others safe. For now, you should rigorously follow the social distancing advice in full.
Q2. What will happen to my cancer treatment? For example:
Will it be postponed?
Should I still go to hospital appointments?
How will my hospital decide whether I am a priority for treatment?
Will there be national rules?
If treatment, including stem cell transplants, are deferred and I begin to relapse will this limit my eligibility for future lines of treatment?
Should I start chemotherapy treatment (particularly if it is a 2nd/3rd line for “mop up” ) or postpone?
As a stage 4 patient will I be given life support if I have breathing difficulties due to the virus?
If I get the virus and recover, will this affect my cancer treatment and outlook?
Clinicians will always make decisions to prioritise treatment for those most in need and in consultation with patients.
Many hospitals have started to use more telephone consultations as a way of helping people to avoid long waits in clinics and for treatment. You may be called to arrange your treatments in this way, and planned treatments may need to be moved to help with running a smooth service.
Your clinical team are best placed to talk with you about the effect on your treatment and appointments. They will work with you to determine the best course of action in each individual situation. If you have any concerns or questions about your treatment, please speak to your clinical team.