Avoid Coronavirus Infection If You Are Afflicted By Cancer Through These 6 Methods

COVID-19 can be very deadly for those who have weak immune systems. Cancer Research UK observed that some cancer patients are not that capable of fighting off infections. How can individuals suffering from cancer avoid the virus?

Who Are The Cancer Patients At Risk?

One Cancer Voice, the official advisory on COVID-19 made available by Cancer Research UK for cancer patients, revealed the six situations that make a person more vulnerable to deadly complications. These include people who underwent chemotherapy or have undergone chemotherapy during the past three months and those having immunotherapy or other antibody cancer treatments.

It also included those having other cancer treatments that affect the body’s immune system, like protein kinase inhibitors. Serious complications arising from coronavirus infection may occur to patients undergoing intensive lung cancer radiotherapy and those who had stem cell or bone marrow transplants in the last six months. Cancer patients taking immunosuppressive medications are also at higher risk of developing serious complications due to coronavirus infection.

The advisory also stated that patients with some blood cancer types that damage the immune system even if they did not have treatment are also at higher risk. Examples of these types of blood cancer are chronic leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma.

A Safety Precaution

According to One Cancer Voice, clinicians should advise these patients to lower their risk of exposure to coronavirus infection by avoiding crowded places. They should also limit their social interaction and maintain good hand hygiene.

At present, the National Health Service will keep on providing cancer treatments to patients. Cancer patients have also been advised to observe six guidelines made available by the NHS to avoid getting COVID-19 infection and prevent it from spreading.

Hygiene Standards

The NHS advises everyone to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. It has also been advised by the NHS to perform hand washing as soon as you reach your office or upon arrival in your home. In case water and soap are limited or unavailable, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The NHS has also recommended to everyone to strictly observe social distancing and to avoid crowded places. You should also try to stop yourself from getting into contact with those who appear to be unwell.

In case you feel the need to sneeze or cough in a public place, or if there are persons nearby, you should cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. If you do not have a tissue, you can sneeze or cough on your sleeves. Try to avoid using our hands to cover your coughs or sneezes.

Used tissues should immediately be disposed of in the trash bin. Afterward, you need to wash your hands with water and soap. Bear in mind that at present, there is no available treatment for COVID-19, which is why everyone needs to observe these hygiene standards.