Continuing your cancer treatment during coronavirus

Are you still open?

Currently all our centres and clinics are open and treating patients. We are carefully assessing each patient’s individual risks to ensure we can provide the best care. We are closely monitoring the coronavirus pandemic globally, implementing the latest Government advice, and adding extra precautionary measures to maintain a safe environment for our patients and staff.

I’m currently shielding (as a vulnerable person) following government guidelines, can I still access care?

Yes, even if you’re shielding, please keep attending your treatment appointments. Our team will let you know if you need to attend any ongoing appointments via our Telehealth service (videoconferencing). If you have any concerns about self-isolating please call your centre.

How will the coronavirus outbreak affect my ongoing treatment at GenesisCare?

During the coronavirus outbreak, we are making every effort to ensure that the wellbeing of our patients remains a priority. Currently all our centres and clinics are continuing to run tests, such as scans and blood tests, as well as treating patients with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We have robust measures in place to ensure your safety when undergoing tests or treatments at our centres.

Are all GenesisCare oncologists offering Telehealth and how is it done in practice?

We have provided the option to all doctors to offer appointments via Telehealth (secure telephone and videoconferencing) to discuss your treatment options and needs. New or follow-up consultations can be done via Telehealth. All our Oncologists are offering Telehealth; please ask them any questions or raise any concerns you may have. For more information about Telehealth click here.

Can I bring a friend or family member to my appointment still?

To protect our patients, visitors and staff, all visitors and carers are being asked not to attend our centres, unless required for patient safety. If you must bring a companion, they have to be from your household or support bubble.

I have some cold-like symptoms, what should I do?

Please contact your centre prior to your appointment if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever or a cough. Visit the NHS 111 website for information on seeking medical attention for symptoms of coronavirus, and ensure you communicate your current diagnosis and treatments to the clinicians or 111 staff that you speak to.

I’m concerned about coronavirus and putting myself at risk every time I have to travel from home to the centre. How can I minimise my risk of coronavirus while attending my appointments?

We have multiple safety measures in place to protect you and our staff. We also encourage you to practice good hygiene to protect against infections. Good hygiene includes:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitiser
• Using a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Avoiding close contact with others, such as touching, and keep to 2 metres (6 ft) away
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Will I be able to continue my radiotherapy treatment?

GenesisCare remains committed to ensuring that cancer patients can continue to receive the care they need in our centres. Currently all our centres and clinics are operating without delay.

We are closely monitoring the coronavirus pandemic globally, implementing the latest government advice, and are adding extra precautionary measures to maintain a safe environment for our teams and patients.

Will I still be able to access palliative radiotherapy during this time?

If you have advanced cancer, you may be receiving radiotherapy without a curative intent (called palliative radiotherapy) and we will continue this. If you are concerned about attending a treatment centre, we can reassure you that the infection control measures that we take to protect our staff, patients and doctors from infection are robust and consistent.

Should people be splitting their radiotherapy and having a break of a couple of weeks before finishing, or is that not advised?

We do not recommend splitting treatment or taking a break. If you are receiving treatment, we recommend you continue your course of treatment, as prescribed, to make sure you receive the best possible health outcome. In some cases, there are some flexibilities built into the treatment plan that would allow delays or changes so we can continue treatment after a break and get the optimal treatment outcome. This will be discussed case by case, and only in the circumstances when you fall sick or feel unwell.

What happens if I am having radiotherapy treatment and I contract coronavirus? Would I have to stop treatment?

This depends on the severity of your coronavirus symptoms. You can continue treatment if you are asymptomatic (not showing any coronavirus symptoms), and we have precautions in place to provide ongoing treatment safely. If you are not feeling well enough to come for treatment or you are in hospital, we will discuss the best way forward with your consultant. It is likely to involve delaying treatment and compensating for it when you are better, if appropriate.

Does radiotherapy affect the immune system?

Targeted radiotherapy treatment delivered in fewer sessions or otherwise called stereotactic radiotherapy, doesn’t generally make a major impact on the immune system. Some prolonged radiotherapy treatments over many weeks may affect the number of white cells in your blood which help you fight infections.

Your consultant will advise you on the radiotherapy treatment plan most suitable for you, balancing the benefits and risks of treatment.

Am I at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if I contract coronavirus, because of my radiotherapy treatment?

Short targeted radiotherapy treatments that last for few days don’t have an adverse effect on your immune system. This means that your body is likely to fight the virus as well as people not undergoing radiotherapy.

Prolonged radiotherapy treatments that last over a number of weeks and treat large areas in your body, may lower your body’s immune defence and clearing the virus may take longer or you may develop worse symptoms.

Your consultant will advise you on the radiotherapy treatment plan most suitable for you, balancing the benefits and risks of treatment.

I’ve had radiotherapy in the past. Could my immune system still be compromised and put me at a higher risk of coronavirus?

Having previously had radiotherapy treatment does not necessarily mean you will be more at risk of becoming ill from coronavirus. Your risk of becoming ill from coronavirus due to cancer treatment is higher if you:

• Are having chemotherapy, or have received chemotherapy in the last 3 months
• Are having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
• Are having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors
• Are having intensive (radical) radiotherapy for lung cancer
• Have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppression drugs
• Have a type of blood cancer which damage the immune system, even if you have not needed treatment (for example, chronic leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)

If you are very concerned about your risk of becoming ill from coronavirus, please contact your GP or consultant for more advice.

What is coronavirus?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms range from a mild cough to pneumonia. Some people recover easily, others may get very sick very quickly. There is evidence that it spreads from person to person. Good hygiene can prevent infection.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly. The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• A high temperature – your chest or back feel hot to touch
• A new and continuous cough – coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Other symptoms include fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, headaches and shortness of breath.

Who is most at risk of contracting coronavirus?

Anyone can be seriously affected by coronavirus, however, older people and people with pre-existing health problems (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) seem to be more susceptible to becoming severely ill with the virus.

How does coronavirus impact people with pre-existing health conditions such as cancer and heart disease?

While more than 80% of confirmed coronavirus cases are considered not severe, the virus has proven to be dangerous, and at times fatal, in immunocompromised individuals, including the sick and elderly.

People with pre-existing health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer or respiratory illnesses such as asthma and COPD, are at higher risk of developing more severe symptoms from coronavirus.

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections like coronavirus.

Similarly, patients with asthma or COPD are often treated with high-dose steroid medication which can also dampen the immune system and put them at increased risk of infection.

How does coronavirus spread?

The virus spreads from person-to-person and is most likely spread through:

• Close contact with an infectious person
• Contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
• Touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face

What can I do to protect myself?

Everyone should practice good hygiene to protect against infections. Good hygiene includes:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitiser
• Using a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Avoiding close contact with others, such as touching
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Limit social gatherings and time spent in crowded areas
• Clean objects and surfaces that are frequently touched

In addition to the tips above, everyone should follow current governmental guidance.

Can I contract coronavirus from an asymptomatic carrier (someone who doesn’t show symptoms)?

The main way coronavirus spreads is through small droplets expelled by someone who is coughing, so the risk of you catching coronavirus from someone with no symptoms at all is very low though still possible. However, you should still follow current governmental guidance.