As someone undergoing cancer treatment, am I more at risk of contracting coronavirus?
Some people with cancer are extremely vulnerable to becoming seriously ill if they contract the coronavirus infection, including:
- People having chemotherapy, or who have received chemotherapy in the last 3 months
- People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
- People having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors
- People having intensive (radical) radiotherapy for lung cancer
- People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
- People with some types of blood cancer which damage the immune system, even if they have not needed treatment (for example, chronic leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)
If you are in this category, you should have received a letter by NHS England or have been contacted by your GP to be advised about how to protect yourself from coronavirus.
If you believe you fall into this category and have not been contacted, please discuss any concerns with your GP or GenesisCare consultant.
Find out more about government advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people on the gov.uk website.
What is shielding?
Shielding is a protocol used to protect particularly vulnerable people from coming into contact with coronavirus. For up to date government advice on shielding measures, please visit the gov.uk website.
Am I in a vulnerable group?
Some people with cancer are more at risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract coronavirus, including:
- People having chemotherapy, or who have received chemotherapy in the last 3 months
- People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
- People having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors
- People having intensive (radical) radiotherapy for lung cancer
- People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
- People with some types of blood cancer which damage the immune system, even if they have not needed treatment (for example, chronic leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)
People also falling into this clinically extremely vulnerable group include:
- Solid organ transplant recipients
- People with severe chest conditions
- People with rare diseases/metabolic conditions that increase the risk of infection
- People on immunosuppression therapies
- Pregnant women with significant heart disease
- People who have also been classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of their needs. GPs and hospital clinicians have been provided with guidance to support these decisions
Find out more about government advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people on the gov.uk website.
Am I in a vulnerable group if I have blood cancer?
If you have a cancer of the blood or bone marrow – such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma – you’re considered clinically extremely vulnerable, whatever stage of treatment you’re in. Public Health England have advised that you should follow current governmental guidance to protect yourself from infection.
Am I in a vulnerable group if I have lung cancer?
If you have lung cancer and you’re undergoing chemotherapy or prolonged radiotherapy treatments that last over a number of weeks and treat large areas in your body, you’re considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable, as per Public Health England guidance. These treatments may lower your body’s immune defence and clearing the virus may take longer or you may develop worse symptoms. It is advised that you should follow this governmental guidance to protect yourself from infection.
Current NHS guidance states that all other lung cancer patients aren’t considered to be more vulnerable because of their condition and don’t need to take extra precautions.
Am I in a vulnerable group if I am undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer?
If you’re a lung cancer patient and receiving radical chemotherapy, you’re considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable – it has been advised that you should follow the governmental guidance. If you’d like further information about your treatment, or want to discuss your own personal risk, please contact your consultant.
Am I in a vulnerable group if I am undergoing immunotherapy?
If you’re currently undergoing continuous antibody treatment, then you’re clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. Public Health England has advised that you should follow the current guidance to protect yourself. If you’d like further information about your treatment, or want to discuss your own personal risk, please contact your consultant.
Am I in a vulnerable group if I am undergoing PARP inhibitor or protein kinase inhibitor treatment?
If you’re currently receiving targeted cancer treatments which can affect your immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors, Public Health England has advised you’re clinically extremely vulnerable and should follow governmental guidance to protect yourself. If you’d like further information about your treatment, or want to discuss your own personal risk, please contact your consultant.