BREAST CANCER AND COVID-19

Recommendations and Resources from Breastcancer.org BreastCancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer and breast health as well as an active and supportive online community. This can be an extremely useful resource for patients and caregivers. They have recently published an article on their website regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and what people with breast cancer need to know. The article notes that people being treated for breast cancer may have a higher risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19. It specifically states: • “Some breast cancer treatments — including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and radiation — can weaken the immune system and possibly cause lung problems.” • “People who have weakened immune systems or lung problems have a much higher risk of complications if they become infected with this virus.” •  “For most people, the immune system recovers within a couple of months after completing these treatments, so those who have been treated for breast cancer in the past don't necessarily have a higher risk of severe illness.” To protect yourself and help reduce the spread of the virus, the article encourages breast cancer patients to listen to health experts who recommend staying at home, limiting contact with others, and following other precautions. Additionally, the article shares what you need to know if you or a loved one are receiving treatment for breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides background information on coronavirus, how COVID-19 spreads, symptoms, who is at risk, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you develop symptoms. Additionally, the authors address how breast cancer patients’ treatment may be impacted during this time and how to manage anxiety and/or loneliness while isolated because of the pandemic. Resources include FAQs, videos, and podcasts as well as links to reliable information. Readers can also access the breastcancer.org Community Discussion Boards via a link provided in the article. To read the complete article visit “Coronavirus (COVID-19): What People With Breast Cancer Need to Know,”  https://www.breastcancer.org/about_us/press_room/news/coronavirus.