COVID-19 is an infectious illness caused by a new type of coronavirus. There are several types of coronaviruses. Some cause mild illnesses such as a cold, while others can be more serious and affect your breathing or respiratory system.
People with cancer and their families might feel especially worried about the coronavirus outbreak. Cancer and its treatment can lower your ability to fight infection, so people with cancer are among those at higher risk of complications.
You might be worried about how coronavirus will affect cancer treatment, care and support. Cancer services are an absolute priority for the NHS. The rapid rise in COVID-19 infections and hospital admissions put more pressures on hospitals, but staff are working hard to ensure that cancer diagnosis and treatment can continue safely.
During the COVID-19 crisis, we need to continue to provide our excellent cancer care and support to our patients and families going through a cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow up. Cancer services at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust are continuing with rapid access (RA) referrals 2 week wait. Please click on the following links for extra information around COVID-19 and cancer.
These links have vast resources that will help the management of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- www.nhs.uk
- www.CRUK.co.uk
- www.macmillan.co.uk
- www.Prostatecanceruk.org
- www.breastcancer.org
- www.roycastle.org
- www.Bowelcancer.uk.orgBowelcancer.uk.org
- www.GOV.uk
- www.RCN.org.uk/Covid-19
- www.unison.org
- www.England.nhs.co.uk/Covid-19
- www.NICE.ORG.UK/COVID-19
If you are caring for a patient with COVID-19 and cancer in the palliative care stages, please refer to our palliative care page here. There is lots of useful information, tools, assessment processes, and best practice to help assist your interventions.
