COVID-19 and cancer panel discussion: managing stress, anxiety, and grief during uncertain times

As part of its wellness blog series, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship has created a series and webinars and resources for cancer patients and survivors experiencing increasing stress and anxiety amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  Isolation and fear are serious risk factors for many cancer survivors.  The tips provided by a psychologist and cancer control expert in the webinars focus on the importance of virtual connections with family and friends, as well as the importance of exercise, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition.

Click here to view the webinars and learn more about the information resources provided.

Chronic, late effects of cancer treatment: the consequences of a cure

A recent interview with Dr. Balazs Bodai, Director of the Breast Cancer Survivorship Institute at Kaiser Permanente Health, states that long-term management of cancer survivors may increasingly fall under the responsibility of primary care providers.  The interview also presents the views of Dr. Catherine Alfano, vice president of survivorship at the American Cancer Society.  Dr. Alfano informs readers about the differences between chronic vs. late effects of cancer treatment.  Chronic effects are issues that first present during cancer treatment and continue in the post-treatment period, while late effects do not occur while a patient is treated, "but pop up seemingly out of nowhere a few years, even 10 years later." 

To read more about this interview, click here.

Practicing oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic: protecting medical staff to ensure cancer patients can safely receive care

The European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) has launched a new series, Practicing Oncology During the Pandemic, sharing experiences and perspectives from medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Via a series of interviews, readers will learn about current COVID-19 testing policies, daily routines of medical oncologists, along with treatment and follow-up strategies for cancer patients.

Click here for further information

COVID-19 Infection in Cancer Patients in Wuhan: Emphasis on Severe Events

A new retrospective study on COVID-19 among cancer patients, focusing on risk factors associated with admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) has been conducted by a team of clinicians from 3 hospitals in Wuhan, China, and recently published in the Annals of Oncology.  Clinical data gathered from 28 cancer patients with COVID-19 infection between January 13, 2020 - February 26, 2020 indicates that 17 patients (60%) were male, with an average age of 65 years.  Of the 28 cancer patients studied, 7 (25%) had lung cancer, followed by oesophageal cancer (4 patients), and breast cancer (3 patients).  10 patients had a stage IV cancer diagnosis and 8 patients developed COVID-19 from hospital-associated transmission.  Further, of the 6 patients who received anti-tumour treatment within 14 days of their COVID-19 diagnosis, 5 (83%) developed severe events.

To read more about this study, click here.

Study mentioned: Zhang L, Zhu F, Xie L, et al. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19-infected cancer patients: A retrospective case study in three hospitals within Wuhan, China. Annals of Oncology; Published online 23 March 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.03.296