People with Cancer Have to Choose Between Treatment and COVID-19 Risks – Healthline
Posted: June 10, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Heather Lanier, a registered nurse from San Jose, California, received a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States.
Despite the rapid spread of the new coronavirus nationwide, Lanier never once considered stopping or delaying her chemotherapy.
I just wanted to get through it and get on with my life, Lanier, 49, told Healthline.
Lanier has continued to work during her treatment and has one final chemotherapy infusion left. Shell have surgery next month to remove one of her breasts.
Lanier knew there were risks involved in continuing treatment during the pandemic.
But she insists theyve been risks worth taking.
COVID-19 is scary because I am immunocompromised. I know I have to be careful. But I was more scared in the beginning than I am now, said Lanier, who strictly follows physical distancing guidelines.
I wear my mask religiously and I wash my hands a lot. I feel pretty safe. Its just my personality. I do not want to live in a bubble. I want to live my life, she said.
People being treated for cancer face a difficult dilemma when deciding when, where, and how to treat their disease in the age of COVID-19.
New studies announced last week at the annual American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program include new information about the high-risk relationship between COVID-19 and cancer.
The COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) registry presented at ASCO and published in The Lancet show that people with progressive cancer were five times more likely to die within 30 days of a COVID-19 diagnosis compared to people in remission or people with no evidence of disease.
The risk for death was 1.79 times greater for those with stable cancer compared to people who had no evidence of disease.
Dr. Jeremy L. Warner, MS, a lead author of the study and an associate professor of medicine and biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, and his colleagues assessed data on 928 patients for 30-day all-cause mortality.
In a press statement, Warner said his team is working to identify the factors that affect disease severity and death.
Warner says hes also interested in the effects of specific cancer treatments that are being used to treat people with cancer who have COVID-19.
The researchers say theres more to learn about the relationship between cancer and COVID-19.
How we improve the care we provide these patients and reduce the number of deaths and severe consequences associated with this disease are among the top questions, Dr. Howard A. Burris III, FACP, FASCO, the president of ASCO, said in a press statement.
Another study announced at the ASCO conference showed that people with lung and other thoracic cancers who were treated with chemotherapy within 3 months of their COVID-19 diagnosis had an increased risk for death compared to other treatment methods.
In an analysis of data on 400 cancer patients, researchers concluded that only the patients treated with chemotherapy, either alone or in combination with other therapies, had a significantly increased risk (64 percent) of dying from the virus compared to people who didnt receive chemo.
In a presscast, the registrys lead author, Dr. Leora Horn, a cancer researcher and director of the thoracic oncology program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that research on COVID-19 and cancer death continues to evolve.
In a press release, Burris added that there are still more questions than answers, but that these findings give us some insights into outcomes for patients with cancer who develop COVID-19.
Dr. Matthew Cook, the founder of BioReset Medical, an integrative clinic that specializes in regenerative and functional medicine, says the interplay between COVID-19 and cancer inevitably involves the bodys immune system.
Chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and the cancer itself can all have a suppressing effect on the immune system, said Cook, whose medical approach is to use the most noninvasive, natural, and integrative ways possible to achieve optimal health.
Cook told Healthline that he works in cooperation with oncology to get best results for his cancer patients.
We take a fairly traditional approach. We are looking at all the bodys systems to see if there are problems that we can optimize, he said.
For example, he notes that the gastrointestinal system and the immune system are intimately connected, and that the traditional medical world is beginning to embrace this concept.
I think the oncology community is evolving into accepting some modalities that are integrative. Our goal is to try to take all that into consideration and then develop a treatment plan that supports their immune systems, Cook said.
While people with cancer are between a rock and a hard place when it comes making decisions about treatment, Cook says, the relative risk of a cancer patient getting an infection with the new coronavirus remains low.
Patients with these conditions just need to have a very careful approach and limit their exposure and risk of infection, he said.
In broad terms, I would say that people are generally well served by following their physicians guidance and, in most cases, moving forward with their cancer therapy, depending on their circumstances in life, Cook said.
Cancer patients and physicians have actually known about these risks for a long time. Patients with cancer who are on chemotherapy are already immunocompromised. We already know how to give them the best ways of protecting themselves, he added.
Binzee Gonzalvo, 47, a university lecturer in Tokyo, Japan, whos currently receiving treatment for marginal zone lymphoma, is being careful and using common sense.
Hes read the new statistics on cancer death and COVID-19. And while it does give him pause, hes decided to move forward with his treatment.
Its not the best timing to have a cancer diagnosis or relapse. Im just dealing with it the best way forward given the circumstances, Gonzalvo told Healthline. I had to be proactive and consider that in my decision making process. I have stayed indoors at home the whole time, with the exception of treatment days.
He adds that he wears a mask thats used for medical staff, and he purchased protective glasses to wear when using public transportation to his cancer center.
So far, so good and on schedule regarding treatment, Gonzalvo said.
He notes that COVID-19 has affected communication with his hematologist.
He was assigned to a COVID-19 task force, and so for my appointments in May for my second treatment, I had to talk with another hematologist who covered for him, Gonzalvo said.
However, he added on a positive note, Im staying strong with hope.
People with cancer and survivors of the disease are also finding it increasingly difficult to get necessary healthcare as the COVID-19 pandemic persists.
Many are experiencing financial stress and mental health issues as they try to navigate the difficult health and economic environment.
A survey by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) of cancer patients and survivors found that 87 percent of respondents have had their healthcare affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in some manner. That was up from 51 percent in an April survey.
Of those in active treatment, 79 percent reported delays to their healthcare, including 17 percent of patients who reported delays to cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
The most commonly reported effects for those in active treatment were for changes to in-person cancer provider appointments (57 percent) as well as delays in access to imaging services (25 percent) and surgical procedures (15 percent).
About 20 percent reported delayed access to supportive services, including physical therapy or mental healthcare.
Nearly 1 in 4 patients surveyed say the pandemic has made it more difficult to contact their providers with questions about their healthcare needs.
And 1 in 5 say theyre worried their cancer could be growing or returning due to delays and interruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The situation is getting worse, not better for cancer patients during this pandemic, Lisa Lacasse, president of the ACS CAN, said in a statement.
Health practitioners continue to work to balance safety for an immunocompromised population at increased risk for contracting COVID with timely treatment to prevent the spread of cancer. Unfortunately, this results in delays in treatment for many cancer patients, she said.
Amid the fear and anxiety caused by COVID-19, theres also good news for people receiving cancer treatment.
At the annual ASCO conference, a variety of new data on treatments for numerous types of cancer showed promise in clinical trials.
For example, the Food and Drug Administration has given the fast track designation to ME-401, an oral treatment from MEI Pharma for people with relapsed or refractory follicular non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL).
Follicular NHL is the most common subtype of low-grade (indolent) lymphoma, making up as much as 30 percent of all non-Hodgkins lymphomas.
Follicular lymphoma is treatable but doesnt have a current cure. For cases that dont respond to two prior treatments, next steps can be difficult to decide. There are few viable options.
MEI Pharma is conducting an ongoing phase II clinical trial called TIDAL thats evaluating ME-401 for cases of follicular lymphoma that havent responded to at least two prior systemic therapies, including chemo and an anti-CD20 antibody.
Daniel Gold, PhD, president and CEO of MEI Pharma, said in a press statement hes excited to continue expanding the opportunity that ME-401 represents for cancer patients.
We are particularly encouraged that the follicular lymphoma patients in the Phase 1b study the focus of our ongoing Phase 2 TIDAL study now have a median time on therapy in excess of 1 year with responses that are durable to date while remaining generally well-tolerated, he said.
Here is the original post:
People with Cancer Have to Choose Between Treatment and COVID-19 Risks - Healthline
- What Is a Hormone Doctor? | eHow [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Learn About Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Bioidentical Hormone Doctors, Thyroid Disorders, Lyme ... [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- Natural Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT ... [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2015]
- What Is a Hormone Doctor? | eHow StemCell Doctors [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2015]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy in NYC | NYC Hormone ... [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2015]
- Endocrinology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2015]
- AAG Health - Hormone Replacement Therapy | HGH & Testosterone [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Denver Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Clinic - Biovive Medicine [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Naturopathic Doctor Phoenix | Weight Loss Clinic ... [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- What is an Endocrinologist? What does an Endocrinologist ... [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- HRT | Hormone Replacement Therapy | Testosterone [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- Endocrine disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2015]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy - Ideal Physician Weight Loss [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2015]
- Hormone Replacement | Fred Bloem, MD Holistic Physician ... [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2015]
- How to Find a Bioidentical Hormone Doctor [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2015]
- Neal Rouzier, MD The Hormone Doctor [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2016]
- Hypothyroidism Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Treatment [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2016]
- A Natural Progesterone Cream by Resonance Direct [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2016]
- Network Of Doctors - Renew Man [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2016]
- Dr. Komer, MD - Your Temporary Index [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2016]
- Dr. Komer The Komer Clinics - Treatment, Education ... [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2016]
- Atlantic Age Management - New Jersey Hormone Doctor ... [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2016]
- Growth Hormone Treatment [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2016]
- Information on Thyroid Disorders | Hormone Health Network [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2016]
- Transgender hormone therapy Clinic [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2016]
- DIM for Hormone Balance - Healthy by Nature [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2016]
- MedHelp - Health community, health information, medical ... [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2016]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy - WebMD [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2016]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy Boca Raton - Hormone Doctor ... [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2016]
- How to Balance Hormones Naturally | Wellness Mama [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2016]
- Integrative Medicine Denver | Hormone Replacement Therapy [Last Updated On: August 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 28th, 2016]
- HGH.com - Natural Human Growth Hormone Supplements [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2016]
- The Physician Assistant Life - Essay [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2016]
- Man vs. Estrogen: It's Not Just A Woman Thing! | Seasons ... [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2016]
- Bioidentical Hormones: Dr. John R. Lee's Three Rules for BHRT [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2016]
- Endocrinology - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- TODAY Video - Latest TODAY show clips, news & video ... [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2016]
- Hormonal Imbalance Anxiety a Precursor to Other Health ... [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- DIM for Hormone Balance - blog.healthybynaturehwc.com [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- Medicine - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Steroid - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Thyroid Disease Manager : Diagnosis and Treatment of Graves [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Dr. Brian Irwin: BPH is a common but uncomfortable disorder - Conway Daily Sun [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Hospital adds doctors at Dove's Landing - Oroville Mercury Register [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Veracyte (VCYT) Enters Agreement with Quest Diagnostics (DGX) to Expand Patient Access to GEC - StreetInsider.com [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Dear Dr. Roach: Elevated calcium level may signal excess hormone - Herald & Review [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Endocrine disease - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- What causes infertility and how can it be treated? - WRDW-TV [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Doctor's Tip: What is the safest cookware? - Glenwood Springs Post Independent [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Nonbinary students confront surgery challenges - Yale Daily News (blog) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Human Growth Hormone - Rejuvalife Vitality Institute [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Shed pounds to lower the risk - Times of India [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Colorado House panel rejects three GOP abortion bills - The Denver Post [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Dems defeat anti-choice bills - Pueblo Chieftain [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- People get test results, have more tests done at Live Healthy 2017 Health Fair - Grand Island Independent [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Physicians' Education Resource Plans Most Impactful Miami ... - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Windsor doctor penalized for 'reckless' narcotics prescribing - Windsor Star [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- 'Bathroom Bill' is discrimination - Emporia Gazette [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- What's in store: Chronos - bestofneworleans.com [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- A lot of blood, for no reason? Common, costly clot test has few benefits - Knowridge Science Report [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Ask the Doctor: Dizziness, Graves' disease, herbal remedies - WNDU-TV [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- The Thyroid Problem: How you can identify thyroid issues and free your health - Black Hills Pioneer [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 5 Reasons Real Women Chart Their Menstrual Cycle - Verily [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Holistic Medicine Doctor in Dever, Colorado | BioViveMD [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- With health care repeal looming, women turn to IUDs and other long-term birth control - Kansas City Star [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Older women reduce their endometrial cancer risk with weight loss - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Chief justice cheers turnout at Longview off-site session - Longview News-Journal [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- What's It Like Getting Health Care As A Black Transgender Person? - BuzzFeed News [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- The Secret Behind Trump's Flowing Locks - eParisExtra.com (blog) [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Family pushes bill expanding medical training in schools - WBIR.com [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Quick fix: Zeman turns last-place Pescara around in 3 days - The Republic [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Major study finds testosterone therapy is no fountain of youth - Philly.com [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Perth doctor Amish Dwarka Singh guilty over weight loss, bodybuilding prescriptions - ABC Online [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Introducing Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy at Young Medical Spa in Center Valley and Lansdale ... - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Is testosterone-replacement therapy good or bad? One man suffering from low levels searches for answers. - Men's Fitness [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Area doctor to launch book on women's health during menopause - Southgate News Herald [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Obesity May Raise Girls' Risk of Asthma, Allergies - WebMD [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Doc: Pill's hormone regulation benefits women with PCOS - The Detroit News [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- USMLE Step 1: Postpartum amenorrhea and hormone levels - American Medical Association (blog) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]