Cancer occurs as a result of the uncontrolled and abnormal growth of normal cells in our body. As a result of cancer cells replacing healthy cells, organs affected by this condition can no longer function properly. Nowadays, cancer diseases, which are among the treatable diseases, achieve high success rate treatment results with early diagnosis.
Covid-19 is still effective in our country, where it is all over the world. Cancer patients are perhaps among the patient groups most affected by this difficult process. Cancer patients’ immunity is more sensitive due to the treatment protocols they take and the drugs they use.
Covid-19 infection has caused a serious increase in deaths in cancer patients. The diagnosis of Covid-19 most often gives symptoms such as fatigue, fever, dry, cough, loss of appetite, muscle aches, shortness of breath and inability to smell in cancer patients. Most of these symptoms are also seen in side effects related to chemotherapy, and this makes differential diagnosis mandatory in complaints.
Assoc. Dr. Didem Taştekin, Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital Oncology Department, Yeni Yüzyıl University, informed about “What cancer patients should pay attention to in the period of Covid-19 and the progress of treatment processes.”
9.6 million people died of cancer in one year in 2018, and the number of new diagnoses was recorded as 18 million each year. We have seen that Covid-19 is not like other seasonal flus all over the world with a very painful picture and it seriously affected oncology patients. Apart from getting the disease, the health services provided to these patients were also interrupted.
As oncologists, we know very well about viral, bacterial and fungal infections and they have always been part of cancer treatment. Death from Covid-19 as of today… It has fallen into the news as 3.3 million.
So what is the mortality rate in cancer patients caught with Covid 19? It was stated that the mortality rate in cancer patients increased by 25-30 percent. In some studies, it was determined that 1 in 5 of the patients who died from Covid-19 were cancer patients. So what was the reason for this increase? The most important reason is the advanced age of the majority of cancer patients, additional diseases (Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity) and low immune system due to chemotherapy.
Double-wave death due to Covid-19 can occur in cancer patients. It can become the second wave due to death or cancellation of treatments due to Covid-19 due to the immunocompromised patient caught in Covid 19. Stopping or delaying cancer treatments due to the pandemic also increases this risk.
Most of those who had to go to bed due to Covid-19 were cardiovascular diseases or cancer patients. As life expectancy has increased in the world, it has become a general risk factor for cancer. In 2018 alone, the number of patients over the age of 70 who were newly diagnosed with cancer is a considerable number. The fact that the majority of deaths from Covid-19 are also in elderly patients reveals the seriousness of the work. In addition to the advanced age, if there are hematological cancers and additional diseases such as lung cancer, obesity, diabetes, Covid 19-related deaths increase and increase.
What cancer patients should pay attention to during the Covid-19 process;
-If you have cancer, do not stop chemotherapy.
-Pay more attention to your diet, sleep, cleanliness and personal care.
-If you have noticed the early signs of cancer, contact your doctor as soon as possible, do not miss your chance of early diagnosis.
-Continue cancer surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy without interruption. While doing these, do not forget to take high-dose vitamin C, vitamin D and ozone therapy to strengthen your immunity.
-If you have trouble falling asleep, don’t forget the melatonin hormone, which will boost your immunity and make you ready for sleep.
