Cancer Patients and COVID-19
As a cancer patient, complications may arise which make you more likely to need imaging done. Whether you are on chemotherapy or radiotherapy, you should continue to attend your appointment as usual unless you have been contacted and told otherwise.
However, active treatment for cancer - especially chemotherapy, as well as recent major surgeries can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. Our lungs and blood flow around the body become weakened by the cancer treatment and surgeries. A weakened immune system can make you more susceptible to contracting COVID-19, and increase the likelihood of contracting a serious illness, such as pneumonia.
Coronavirus-infected pneumonia can arise as a complication of COVID-19 due to a weak immune system. If your COVID-19 infection does start to develop pneumonia you may start to notice symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or heavy sweating. Upon contracting pneumonia, you may have to undergo a CT scan or a chest X-Ray to detect or confirm the presence. Read more about what to expect as a CT patient under the CT scan here!!
COVID-19 and Lung Cancer
As a patient with lung cancer, there is no evidence to support the fact that you are more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus disease. However, if you were to become infected you are more likely to get complications from it, because of the underlying disease. These complications can include acute respiratory failure and pneumonia. Look at guidelines made by HSE on how to stay safe during Covid-19 to reduce risk of contracting the illness.
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