Blood Cancer Patients Are More Vulnerable To The Effects Of COVID-19 Infection

The recent COVID- 19 pandemic has been harsh on everyone. With hospitals being the high-risk zones of infection, people have avoided going to the hospital unless extremely necessary. Even with all the precautions, their weak body and a compromised immune system make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. 

Rachel Kerr from Oxford emphasized the importance of these researches and explained that these statistics would enable scientists and oncologists across the globe to understand the risks involved with various cancer patients. The results will help them make much more calculated decisions about the risks involved while dealing with high-risk blood cancer patients’ movement and treatment plans. 

Effect of COVID-19 virus on blood cancer patients

According to the study published by the Queen Mary University of London, based on extensive research of cancer patients and the effects COVID-19 infection had on them, it was concluded that Blood cancer patients were at the receiving end of the fatal blow. Due to the combined effects of a weak immune system and the blood cancer treatment involving immunosuppressive agents, blood cancer, or leukemia patients are at the highest risk. Since most cancer treatments do not include immunosuppressive agents, the patients weren’t as severely affected, and there were comparatively less fatal cases.

These studies are valid irrespective of the age, gender, and stage of cancer in the patients. The researchers studied several demographic statistics like age, gender, and tumor type among hundreds of cancer patients through different areas. They concluded that patients who have leukemia showed a worse COVID-19 infection trajectory than the patients who had solid tumors. 

The immunosuppressive agents involved with the leukemia patients suppress the body’s natural fight response against any infection. Due to the lack of concrete treatment procedures and less information on the virus, the already immuno-compromised blood cancer patients were worst affected. Even those who weren’t directly involved and had to travel to cities, for e.g., patients who were getting their blood cancer treatment in Delhi, also suffered a severe blow due to lack of proper medical attention and timely doses of medicines. For people living in the national capital, blood cancer treatment in Delhi becomes even riskier when the doctors and hospital staff were also tested positive for COVID- 19 and whole hospitals were shut down.

It was observed that generally, patients with pre-existing medical conditions like heart issues, diabetes, or blood pressure were even susceptible to the infection. They were more vulnerable to the infection partially because they had to enter the high-risk hospital zones to get regular check-ups and partly because their body was already weak. They even showed worse symptoms of the virus. Statistics also showed that their mortality rates were too high. 

What to do?

Living with the new normal is what we all have to get accustomed with. For healthy individuals, the switch is going to be comparatively more straightforward. Even though getting used to it will take time, it will still be possible. Even while adjusting to the new normal, the sick will need more time, and the worst change will be with the ones who were worst affected. Even if you were getting your treatment from a particular hospital and doctor, your priority at this time should be a clean and well-sanitized environment. Choose a Leukemia Cancer doctor In Noida or anywhere near you. A few things to keep in mind before choosing a cancer consultant are:

• Do not compromise with the sanitation.
• If possible, choose hospitals or clinics specifically for cancer patients or at least have a completed isolated area for them. 
• Please do not compromise with the quality of your treatment. Look out for the best cancer doctor near you and seek them for blood cancer treatment. 

The best cancer institutes that offer blood cancer treatment in Delhi with qualified and best oncologists in Delhi NCR like Dr. Manish Singhal ensures your safety and the safety of your loved ones by taking every necessary precaution.

ALSO READ: Latest Breast Cancer updates from ASCO Annual Meeting 2020