Cancer Patients at Greater Risk

Cancer patients are more likely to suffer breakthrough COVID infections. (Read about "Cancer: What It Is" "Coronaviruses") Breakthrough COVID-19 cases resulting in infections, hospitalizations and deaths are significantly more likely in cancer patients, according to new studies. A "breakthrough infection" is when a fully vaccinated person contracts COVID, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study analyzed electronic health records to track the number of breakthrough COVID infections, hospitalizations and mortality rates among vaccinated patients with cancer.

The researchers compared breakthrough COVID-19 infections between cancer and non-cancer participants. The team analyzed the records of more than 636,000 vaccinated patients, including more than 45,000 vaccinated people with cancer.

The overall risk of breakthrough COVID infections in vaccinated people with cancer was 13.6 percent, compared to 4.9 percent for vaccinated people without cancer.

The overall risk for hospitalization following a breakthrough infection, in study participants with cancer, was 31.6 percent, compared to a rate of with 3.9 percent in those without cancer.

The risk of death was 6.7 percent following a breakthrough infection, compared to 1.3 percent in patients without cancer.

COVID-19 can cause a range of issues, from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say symptoms can appear days after exposure and include:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• chills
• repeated shaking with chills
• muscle pain
• headache
• sore throat
• new loss of taste or smell
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC says it will continue to update this list as it learns more about COVID-19.

If you have any symptoms, do not go into work. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Trouble breathing and /or persistent pain or pressure in the chest indicate an emergency situation and you should seek help. If you or someone around you develops new confusion or inability to arouse that too is a reason to seek care. Bluish lips or face can indicate a low oxygen level and should also be treated as an emergency.

As with other diseases caused by coronaviruses, COVID-19 is believed to spread from person to person through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

CDC says it is important that people take steps to protect themselves, including:

• Clean your hands often. You should wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important is you have been out in public or if you have just sneezed or coughed. If you don't have access to soap and water, hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol can be used. Rub hands with the sanitizer until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Used correctly, masks can reduce the inhalation of virus-laden droplets, which can protect the person wearing the mask. Masks can also reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets, which is important so that asymptomatic people do not infect others.
• As soon as you can, CDC says you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. All of the available vaccines have been tested in clinical trials. (Read about "Clinical Studies") The studies show that the vaccines reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, and lower the severity of the disease if you do contract it. Contact your healthcare provider or state health department to learn about your vaccine status.

If you have any symptoms, do not go into work. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice.