Cancer can increase your risk of severe COVID-19 by 60 per cent : Some tips to stay healthy

New Delhi, 26-Aug-2020

When the novel coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, China, at the end of the year 2019, it was found that certain people are at a high risk of contraction, and complications due to the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. These included the elderly, and people with existing health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. According to a recent study and report, it has been found that individuals with a certain type of cancer can be almost 60 per cent more likely to develop severe COVID-19. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham found that people with hematologic malignancies � cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes may be 57 per cent more likely to develop severe cases of COVID-19 than those with solid tumour-based cancers.

Here is what the study says
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The study was published in the Lancet. It followed 1,044 adults participants, who had cancer, between March 18 and May 8 2020. 319 of these patients died during the study. Researchers found that those with blood or bone marrow cancers or patients of leukaemia were most likely to develop severe complications and symptoms of COVID-19. They were also more than twice as likely to die from the viral infection, as compared to a general population. The study's joint senior author, Rachel Kerr, who is also a senior researcher at the University of Oxford's Department of Oncology, in a statement, said that the results may give way to better treatment plans for people who have COVID-19 as well as a cancer diagnosis, going forward. The study's findings "will enable us to create a tiered risk assessment tool so we can more precisely define the risk to a given cancer patient and move away from a blanket vulnerable policy for all cancer patients, in the event of a second wave of COVID-19," she explained.

What you can do to keep your risk of cancer, COVID-19 at bay
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Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, people's focus has naturally been on keeping the risk of contraction of the infection at a minimum. However, one cannot ignore the risk of other chronic diseases that surrounds us due to lifestyle and other factors. Therefore, apart from following all precautions to keep the virus at bay, one must also follow certain tips to reduce the risk of cancer. This is especially important for people who have had a history of cancer in the family, or personally.

1. Quit use of tobacco, smoking: One of the key factors that affect a person's risk of cancer are tobacco use, or smoking. Such habits can not only increase risk of lung and mouth cancer but may also lead to the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Indirect smoke, also known as second-hand smoke can also be harmful to the people around you.
2. Exposure to the sun: The harmful rays of the sun, known as the UV rays can increase risk of skin cancer. It is recommended that one should avoid exposure to the sun, and apply sunscreen or protectors, cover their body before stepping out, especially during the peak hours of the afternoon.
3. A healthy diet: A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of most diseases, and cancer is no exception. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low in oil, junk food, processed foods, etc can help reduce free-radical activity in the body and reduce risk of diseases. At this time, following a diet that helps boost immunity is also important to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19.
4. Physical activity: Though COVID-19 has forced all of us to stay at home and practice social distancing, physical activity of some sort should be included in your routine. Home workouts, yoga, or just a walk in the park are a great way to boost physical, mental health, and keep the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer away.