The Hematologist and Medical Oncologist stated that cancer patients are more susceptible to covid-19 than non-patients and mentioned that cancer patients and people suspected of having cancer should not delay their diagnosis and treatment process under any excuse.

Dr. Mohammad Moeini, Hematologist and Medical Oncologist, also a member of the academic staff of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, mentioned there were some concerns for the medical community at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, which was the beginning of the pandemic period. But gradually, after conducting studies and observing patients, the rate of cancer patients became much lower than what was initially thought.

He noted that studies have shown that the infection rate of cancer patients with Covid-19 is higher than that of non-patients. However, compared to many other diseases, such as diabetes and cardiopulmonary diseases, this rate has not differed. Even in some studies, the incidence of cardiopulmonary diseases has been higher than that of cancer patients.

He stated that there are two groups of cancer patients. One group had cancer in the past. Patients in this group are now being followed up after completing the treatment. They are called inactive cancer patients, and their risk of contracting Covid is not high. As the treatments leading to the weakening of the immune system have ended in them, these patients are like the non-patient population.

The second group is patients receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery who are more susceptible to infection because they are going to medical centers. On the other hand, most cancer treatments and some types of cancers weaken the immune system. So, this group is considered at risk of covid-19, and the focus is on treating these people.

-Are the symptoms of Covid-19 different in cancer patients from other people?

In responding to the above question, he stated that all the symptoms of a patient with covid-19, who has no background, are similar to a person with cancer, but in a cancer patient, the severity of the disease can be more significant. The death rate reported is to be higher than that of ordinary people.

He stated the ways of transmission of the covid-19 virus in cancer patients are similar to other patients and are not different from ordinary people, but there are other factors besides cancer in the severity of these patients’ covid-19 infection. Generally, cancer patients are people who are older and old age is a significant risk factor for the severity of Covid-19 in all people.

Dr. Moini added: Also, people with underlying diseases such as diabetes and blood pressure have a higher risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus in case of cancer.

He mentioned that the last point in the severity of the coronavirus disease in cancer patients is their type of cancer. The first type is hematological cancers originating from hematopoietic stem cells, such as blood cancer and lymph nodes, especially their acute types. The second type is solid tumors that are non-hematological, such as lung, breast, and stomach cancer. In this group, lung cancer increases the risk of the severity of the Covid-19 disease.

He stated that people should not worry excessively about contracting the Covid-19 virus due to prostate, breast, or stomach cancer and a history of cancer in the past, because tension, fear, and anxiety affect patients’ quality of life.

Dr. Moini said, “it is better that the screenings of people who are asymptomatic be postponed and done at a longer distance.”

He said, “screening has been accepted for several types of cancer.” One type is breast cancer, which is screened using mammography and is recommended for women over 40 years old. Another case is colon cancer, for which screening using several methods, including colonoscopy or examination of occult blood in stool, is recommended in people over 50 years of age. Cervical cancer screening, using a Pap test, is also recommended for women, at the age of 21. This type of screening can be postponed and performed after the peak of the coronavirus.

Dr. Moeini said the concerns about postponing cancer screening in some patients have been raised in many scientific discussions in oncology societies; as the patient can be identified and treated in the early stages of curable cancer. Also, the disease may have progressed in the next year. For this reason, it is emphasized that only asymptomatic who had regular and normal screenings in the past can safely postpone their next screening until after the current crisis and even up to a year later.

Dr. Moeini stated that the problem in this field is not only about the risk of covid-19.  The lack of resources, allocation of personnel, and medical equipment to covid-19 patients cause the screenings to be postponed as much as possible.

Dr. Moaini mentioned that according to all the reliable scientific sources in the world, like the World Health Organization and reliable oncology guidelines: enough sleep, the proper amount of physical activity, and good nutrition, including adequate daily fluid intake and fresh fruits and vegetables are recommended to strengthen the immune system.

Dr. Moini advised the patients to wear a mask and to use hand sanitizer while visiting the medical centers. Use the door handles for opening and closing the door. Also, patients’ companions should not be more than one person because the fewer people present in the centers, the shorter the chain of transmission. In general, health recommendations for cancer patients should be more carefully followed.

-If surgery is recommended for a cancer patient, is there any concern in this regard?

Dr. Moini answered the above question: A large part of people in society are asymptomatic carriers. According to WHO, the virus exists and the risk of transmission in these patients is lower than in others. So when the number of these people in surgical and treatment centers is high, there is a risk of transmission and concern.

He said that in this field, measures have been provided by science centers and guidelines. So, all the cancer patients referring to treatment centers at different stages of the disease showing any symptoms of the covid-19, such as fever, weakness, lethargy, shortness of breath, cough, body pain, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, should be screened. According to national guidelines, all symptomatic and even asymptomatic patients with suspected contact, especially cancer patients, are screened. In other asymptomatic patients of the covid-19, screening is done with the doctor’s opinion and based on the type of disease and available resources.

According to the WHO, the risk of virus transmission in these patients is lower than in others.

After all, the virus exists, and when these patients are high in surgery treatment centers, there is a risk of transmission and concern.