AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY: Common Questions About the COVID-19 Outbreak

Public Policy
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American Cancer Society issued the following announcement.

The global pandemic of the coronavirus disease, called COVID-19, continues to have a serious impact on many people, including cancer patients, their families, and caregivers. State and local authorities, as well as health officials, continue to adjust their recommendations as the number of COVID-19 cases changes in different parts of the country.

Some cancer patients might be at increased risk of serious illness from an infection because their immune systems can be weakened by cancer and its treatments. Most people who were treated for cancer in the past (especially if it was years ago) are likely to have normal immune function, but each person is different. It's important that all cancer patients and survivors, whether currently in treatment or not, talk with a doctor who understands their situation and medical history. 

It's also important that both patients and their caregivers take precautions to lower their risk of getting COVID-19. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has specific recommendations for people at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 infection.

While the situation continues to change, knowing some basic facts about what you can do to help protect yourself and others from getting sick can be very empowering. 

Original source can be found here.