New study explains which cancer patients are more vulnerable to COVID-19

A newly published study led by the University of Oxford and the University of Birmingham found that patients with hematological cancers were more vulnerable to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic compared to other cancers. As access to treatment remains paramount, this information helps clinicians to ensure that patients can receive treatment safely and successfully during this period.

This study Lancet oncology According to the UK Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project (UKCCMP), Blood cancer patients With COVID-19, there was a 57% higher risk of odds of serious illness. This is when compared to others cancer Such as patient breast cancer, Showed the lowest overall risk.

Along with what we already know Coronavirus A pandemic showed that age contributed to the overall outcome, and found that cancer patients over the age of 80 had the highest mortality rate.

With the global spread of COVID-19 in early 2020, cancer patients were identified as a subgroup that could be at increased risk of COVID-19 infection and suffer from more serious illness consequences. This concern led to the formation of a national UK CCMP project.

Because of the need to continue cancer treatment during a pandemic, this study provides clinicians and patients with important information to make informed decisions about their treatment. By creating risk charts for different types of cancer, doctors can discuss the risks and benefits with their patients so they can work together to choose the best way to treat each person’s cancer. The study also provides evidence that hospitals and other health care providers can design measures to ensure access to life-saving treatments is as secure as possible.

Since March, more than 60 cancer centers across the United Kingdom have populated the UK CCMP database with information on adult cancer patients with COVID-19. The project was set up to help researchers and clinicians better understand which groups of cancer patients are at the greatest risk of COVID-19.

Researchers used demographic data such as age, sex, and tumor type to determine that patients with hematological cancers, especially elderly and leukemia patients, had higher levels of COVID-19 than those with solid organ tumors. We were able to confirm that the trajectory was more severe.

Rachel Carr, a senior researcher at the University of Oxford, said: In the event of the second wave of COVID-19, protect cancer patients and stay away from comprehensive vulnerable policies for all cancer patients. “

Dr. Leonard Lee, an academic clinical lecturer at Oxford University, said: The likelihood of certain patients being infected with COVID-19 remains low. Patients with cancer can rest assured that everything is done at the UK cancer center to effectively minimize the risk of infection and continue lifesaving treatment. “

According to Jean-Baptiste Cazier, director of the Center for Computational Biology at the University of Birmingham: “This study demonstrates the power of investigating the specificity of a patient’s condition. Detailed information from COVID-19 cancer patients across the UK. This time, oncologists are more concerned about the patient-specific risk. It can help you be well informed.”

“We are proud to announce that the University of Birmingham is a professor at the University of Birmingham. Europe and the UK are still unstable. UKCCMP continues to work to understand the impact of COVID-19 Cancer patient And cancer services to ensure best care in the coming months. ”