This post is reviewed and updated every day. It was first published on March 3.
Merry Jennifer Markham, MD, FACP, is the Interim Chief of the University of Florida (UF) Division of Hematology & Oncology, an Associate Professor in the UF College of Medicine, and the Associate Director for Medical Affairs at the UF Health Cancer Center. She specializes in the treatment of gynecologic cancers. Dr. Markham is the chair of ASCO's Cancer Communications Committee. Follow her on Twitter at @DrMarkham.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is aware that people with cancer and cancer survivors, particularly those with compromised immune systems, are likely worried about the potential impact of coronavirus on their health. Patients should talk with their oncologists and health care teams to discuss their options to protect themselves from infection.
What is coronavirus 2019?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (or COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that was first identified in an outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause mild illnesses, such as the common cold, to more severe diseases, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Because the novel coronavirus is related to the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), it has been named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease can spread from person to person, through small droplets from the nose or mouth that may spread when a person coughs or sneezes. Another person may catch COVID-19 by breathing in these droplets or by touching a surface that the droplets have landed on and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. While research on COVID-19 is still emerging, the primary belief is that the disease is mainly spread through contact with these respiratory droplets that are spread through the air or land on surfaces we all touch.
Symptoms from COVID-19 can be mild to severe and can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include aches and pains, nasal congestion or runny nose, sore throat, or diarrhea. Some people who are infected may not develop symptoms, however.
What can I do to avoid getting this coronavirus?
There is not currently a vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
The most important way to protect yourself is to avoid being exposed to COVID-19, whenever possible. Follow guidance on travel restrictions issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO).
Another critical way to protect yourself is to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, about the amount of time it would take to hum the Happy Birthday song from beginning to end twice. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. The best way to clean your hands, though, is through soap and water.
In addition to washing your hands frequently, it’s important to:
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
If you must cough or sneeze, use a tissue. Then throw the tissue away. Or, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cleaning frequently touched objects and surfaces with household cleaning spray or wipes. These surfaces and objects include doorknobs, counters, toilets, keyboards, tablets, phones, and more.
Facemasks are not recommended as a way to prevent COVID-19. However, if you are sick with a respiratory illness, such as influenza or COVID-19, wearing a face mask could prevent the illness from spreading to those around you.
Are there special precautions that people with cancer should take?
People with cancer, people who are in active cancer treatment, older patients, and people with other serious chronic medical conditions, such as lung disease, diabetes, or heart disease, may be at higher risk for the more severe form of COVID-19. The same rules apply for people with cancer as for those without cancer: Be sure to wash your hands well, and wash them frequently. Avoid touching your face, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
People who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 should avoid cruise-ship travel and all other non-essential travel during this time of COVID-19 outbreak. In some areas, the local or state government may have issued a “shelter in place” order or such an order may be coming soon. For people with cancer who live in areas with this type of restriction, you should not leave your home unless absolutely necessary. For those people who live in areas where there is not yet a “shelter in place” restriction issued by the government, stay at home as much as possible to reduce exposure to other people. Avoid social gatherings and keep a distance of about 6 feet between other people if you must leave your home.
Be sure to have enough essential medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, to last for at least 1 month. Create or update an emergency contact list that includes family, friends, neighbors, and community or neighborhood resources who may be able to provide information or assistance to you if you need it.
In order to stay connected to your support system, make plans to connect with your family and friends virtually, through video chat or phone calls. Some examples of technology that can be used for video or other live chats are FaceTime, Zoom, Google Hangouts, and social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook.
Finally, if you are scheduled for cancer treatments during the COVID-19 outbreak, have a discussion with your oncologist about the benefits and risks of continuing or delaying treatment. If you are not scheduled for cancer treatment but are scheduled for an appointment with your oncologist, it may be possible for the doctor to conduct the visit using videoconferencing or telemedicine. Be sure to check with your cancer care team to see if this is recommended for you.
What should I do if I think I may have this coronavirus?
Contact your doctor if you have a fever and other symptoms of a respiratory illness, such as cough and shortness of breath, particularly if either of these 2 conditions applies to you:
You have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19.
You live in or have recently traveled to an area known to have an outbreak of the disease.
Call ahead before visiting your health care professional or the emergency department and let them know that you think you may have COVID-19. Your health care professional will work with state health departments and local health authorities to find out if you should be tested for SARS-CoV-2.
Staying home when you are sick is the best way to prevent transmitting the novel coronavirus and other respiratory viruses, such as the flu, to other people.
If you are receiving cancer treatment that suppresses the immune system and you develop a fever and respiratory symptoms, call your oncologist as you usually would if you develop a fever while on treatment. Be sure to follow their guidance on when to come into the office or hospital and when it’s safer to stay home.
And again, be sure to wash your hands often.
Are there any treatments available for COVID-19?
Scientists are working very hard to develop and test treatments for COVID-19. Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. Working very quickly, researchers and physicians have developed clinical trials to find effective treatments for this disease. Clinical trials for potential COVID-19 treatments are now open in some locations in the United States as well as in other countries. If you have been diagnosed with the coronavirus disease and you join a clinical trial for patients with COVID-19, you may be able to receive these medications. Also, by joining a clinical trial, your participation will help scientists find the most effective and safe treatment for the illness.
Where can I get the latest information about COVID-19?
Staying up to date on the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak is important. The CDC and your local and state health departments will have ongoing information about whether the disease has been diagnosed in your community.
