Cancer requires continuous care, both in pandemic or no-pandemic situation. Given the COVID-19 spread, cancer patients need to exercise extra caution, in consultation with their doctors. With focus on boosting immunity and retaining and a healthy lifestyle, patients can keep the infection at bay.
Cancer patients are generally
immune-compromised and have lower immunity levels which makes them more
vulnerable to severe infections. With India witnessing over 27,67,274 cases and with 6,76,514 current active cases,
the measures induced to fight its spread, have limited some patients’ access to
medical care. However, the effect of COVID-19 may vary from patient to patient,
considering the type, stage of cancer and age. Although, cancer patients who
finished treatment a few years ago or longer have immune systems that have most
likely recovered, but each person is different.
Meanwhile, avoiding exposure to
the virus, is critical in today’s date as majority of the positive cases are
asymptomatic and it is difficult to determine who is a carrier. But, decisions
of withholding or continuing the cancer treatment based on the fear of exposure
should be well-discussed with your treating doctor as neglecting cancer
treatment may have undesired repercussions. In most circumstances it is likely
more important to initiate or continue systemic cancer treatment than to delay
or interrupt treatment. However, these decisions are individualized after
considering the overall goals of treatment, the patient’s current oncologic
status and treatment tolerance as well as their general medical condition.
Types of patients
Treating specialists can broadly sub-categorize cancer patients into following categories and act accordingly as per the priority.
- Patients where care can be delivered remotely (Usually patients who have completed their active treatments and are on follow-ups or those on some oral drugs).
- Care cannot be delivered remotely and a delay in treatment has minimal effect on the condition (patients whose cancer is in control e.g. those on maintenance therapy)
- Treatment cannot be delayed at any cost (patients just diagnosed with cancer or those on active anti-cancer therapy especially those with early stage disease, where delay in treatment may compromise results).
Communication is the key!
To start off with, patients can
opt for a tele-medicine consultation with the doctor to assess their
understanding of COVID-19, exchange notes and plan the way-forward in their
treatment and assess the risk of missing a medical appointment depending on
which type of patient category they fall under.
Any decision regarding delay of
treatment should be first consulted with the doctor which would be analyzed
upon, to come up with a solution, balancing both cancer treatment and
preventing risk of infection. It can then further be discussed whether the
patient needs to visit the hospital physically or not.
Along with ensuring the right
course of treatment, patients must focus on the mental well-being during this
time and spend enough time with family members because stress just makes things
worse.
Here are some tips for cancer
patients to bear in mind during their daily routine that will help lower the
risk of infection.
General Precautions:
- Ensure minimal contact and maintain social distancing.
- Frequent hand washing with soap and water and follow health advisory.
- Use a mask at all times and carry a sanitizer if you are stepping out for medical interventions.
- Maintain good hygiene both at home as well as when you are outside. This is a must for the patient as well as the caregiver.
- Avoid touching your face unnecessarily and always cover your face while coughing or sneezing.
- Duly follow medication routine and have the necessary supplies to avoid delay in the required treatment.
Special Precautions while visiting a hospital:
- Try and take only one attendant along with you to the hospital. The more the people the more the risk of exposure.
- Carry minimal and only essential items with you to reduce surface exposure to contamination.
- Keep tissue papers and sanitizers in your bag as well as a dirty utility bag to dispose the used tissues in closed dustbins.
- Avoid using public transport. If necessary use private cabs only.
- Avoid touching door handles, railing and other commonly touched surfaces.
- Wash the clothes you wore to the hospital separately after returning home and take a warm shower. Also wear washable footwear.
- Clean your mobile phones with alcohol-based disinfectants.
Comments
Post a Comment