How Has COVID Impacted People with Breast Cancer?
Apr 19, 2022
To understand more on the connection between breast cancer and COVID and know-how COVID has impacted cancer patients.
While one may not instinctively think of a connection between breast cancer and COVID, there is a growing fear around whether there can be a seriously damaging and negative COVID impact on cancer patients. With more information on how has COVID impacted cancer patients being released every day, this medical sphere is an important one to keep your eyes on. To understand the relationship between COVID 19 and cancer patients a bit more, let us look at whether or not breast cancer patients have an enhanced risk of contracting a bad case of COVID-19.
To understand more on the connection between breast cancer and COVID and to know how COVID has impacted cancer patients.
Are breast cancer survivors more at risk for COVID?
The question of ‘are breast cancer survivors more at risk for COVID’ is closely tied to the treatment the breast cancer patient is undergoing at the moment or has gone through in the recent past. Breast cancer treatment comes with a plethora of medication, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, constant testing, and many other factors that can lead to a lower level of immunity in patients. Even the latest breast cancer treatment cannot avoid some of the most basic and common breast cancer screening tests, resulting in patients that are already weaker and more susceptible to catching illnesses. Or in this case, catching a more aggressive case of COVID-19.
What are some risk factors?
While there needs to be more information on whether COVID can accelerate cancer, there are a few risk factors that can increase the chances of contracting the virus or getting a bad case of it. These include women who have recently had to go through rigorous breast cancer treatment or breast cancer screening tests, women who are older than 60, women who have underlying health conditions or comorbidities, or women who have breast cancer metastasis to other organs too. Any one of these factors could help us understand in more detail how COVID has impacted cancer patients and can provide a more cohesive link between breast cancer and COVID.
What can I do to protect myself?
Just like everyone else, the COVID impact on cancer patients can be reduced through basic hygiene practices, extra care when touching surfaces, and avoiding crowded places. By washing your hands often, wearing a face mask at all times, using sanitizer frequently, and practicing more healthy habits, you can reduce your chances of contracting the virus. Additionally, it’s important to note that even those in the middle of the latest breast cancer treatment can get the vaccine and should book a slot if they haven’t already as soon as possible.
For more information on the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care in India, click here to view Paras Hospitals.
