Cancer patients at higher risk of contracting Covid-19, says expert
Corné Marais, Cansa Care Centre Manager in Polokwane, discussed the vulnerability of cancer patients’ immune systems.
POLOKWANE – Cancer patients and survivors remain at high risk of infections due to a lowered immune system. These patients must continue to receive treatment amid the national 21-day lockdown period.
Corné Marais, Cansa Care Centre Manager in Polokwane, discussed the vulnerability of cancer patients’ immune systems.
“The immune system protects the body against illness and infection caused by viruses. Most people who are diagnosed with cancer have a weakened immune system. This reduces their bodies’ ability to fight off infections. Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation can stop bone marrow from making enough white blood cells.”
White blood cells are part of your immune system and a lower white blood cell count is most likely to happen during a course of cancer treatment, but the effects can last for some time afterwards.
“Some types of cancer can also lower your ability to fight infection. These include cancers such as leukaemia or lymphoma that affects your immune system. When your ability to fight an infection is lowered, the symptoms of any infection can be more severe and even become dangerous.”
Even though each case is different, cancer patients who completed treatment a few years or longer ago, have immune systems that have most likely recovered.
CANSA will continue supporting patients virtually via:
* The website: https://protect-za.mimecast.com/s/wcZ1C98XyZumYp0ycogVPB?domain=cansa.org.za,
* Online support groups and platforms: (info@cansa.org.za https://protect-za.mimecast.com/s/caBdC0g3mZh2rLxOiDibLf?domain=cansa.org.za
* Toll-free call centre: 0800 22 66 22 and
* WhatsApp lines: English and Afrikaans: 072 197 9305. Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho and Siswati: 071 867 3530.
A list of staff on call will be posted on the Cansa website so that patients can stay in touch with staff during the lockdown.
Cansa may be contacted via our social media platforms:
Facebook (https://protect-za.mimecast.com/s/kYB5Cg5XGoilY73XU2kv_R?domain=facebook.com)
Twitter @CANSA https://protect-za.mimecast.co/s/CiLjCj2JkrsjyvrLi71GFS?domain=twitter.com) and
Instagram (https://protect-za.mimecast.co/s/BO94Ck5MlvinqpEViJda3q?domain=instagram.com)
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