Lung Cancer Patients Face Extra Challenges As COVID-19 Continues to Spread

Since the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus disease, cancer patients have been strictly advised to take extraordinary measures to help avoid exposure. Some cancer or cancer treatments may leave patients with curbed or damaged immune systems, which may make them more helpless to viruses like Coronavirus. Some lung cancer patients may face additional encounters as the COVID-19 continues to spread. Those patients whose lungs have been spoilt by specific treatments or illnesses, such as chronic lung disease, have a higher risk of experiencing even more complications as they come to contact with the COVID-19.

Coronavirus affects the lung and causes extreme swelling and pneumonia as essential lung dysfunction enhances your risk of unhealthier consequences.  Several lung cancer patients may have been infected after smoking tobacco, which weakens lung function, so they are more likely to get sicker.

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to update the list of symptoms Coronavirus Patients may experience. Its latest update says common symptoms of the infection include shortness of breath and cough or at least two of the below-mentioned:

• Chills
• Fever
• Frequent Shaking with Chills
• Headache
• Sore Throat
• Loss of Smell or Taste

Coronavirus, Cancer & the Lungs

COVID-19 and Lung Cancer are very different diseases, but their similarity is that they both attack lungs that may cause permanent lung damage. COVID-19 is relatively common, and it leads to respiratory illnesses, including colds. Coronaviruses may cause extreme respiratory diseases that lead to pneumonia. However, early research proposes that Coronavirus may leave patients with grazes or scars on their lungs and weaken their lung capacity.

In lung cancer patients, lesions or tumors in the lungs may wedge air passage, making it difficult to breathe. However, treating this may require surgery to eliminate or all part of a diseased lung. Radiation therapy may also injury to some lung tissue.

Whereas the cancer patients, in general, are at very extreme risk for emerging an infection if exposed to COVID-19. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that injury caused particularly by lung cancer or treatment enhances the risk of contracting COVID-19. As the veteran’s doctor says, “Because certain lung cancer patients have diminished lung function, they are likely to have a worse prognosis with the novel coronavirus.” As Coronavirus is a relatively new infection, there is no data on whether the virus or injury it may cause enhances cancer risk later on. This is a new virus, and carcinogenesis takes years to evolve and study. Thus, doctors are monitoring this, and the study is on.

What Should a Lung Cancer Patients do to Avoid the Spread of COVID-19?

A patient infected with any cancer type or other serious diseases should take measures to diminish the risk of exposure, by :

• Avoid Crowds
• Keeping your hands away from your nose & eyes
• Avoid sharing food, dishes, cups, towels or other items
• Washing your hands and face frequently with soap and water

Patients with diseases such as lung cancer or any cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases are at higher risk from complications from COVID-19. Prevention and social distancing are an essential strategy to prevent exposing patients with cancer COVID-19. However, if you are inactive treatment and are concerned about how this Novel Coronavirus may impact your health, please contact your doctor or healthcare providers.