During COVID-19 Pandemic, Heed the Advice of Health Experts When Seeking Cancer Care

This issue comes to you during times that are uncertain for everyone, but perhaps especially for those in the cancer community.

As cases of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, continue to multiply and hospitals divert their resources to handle the crisis — as well as do their best to protect vulnerable individuals from infection — the face of cancer care is changing, and this can cause anxiety. Patients whose treatments are postponed may worry about cancer’s progression, while individuals who must continue going to hospitals for lifesaving treatment are likely concerned about catching the infectious disease.

Meanwhile, with many facilities banning visitors to help control the virus’ spread, patients who are hospitalized are soldiering on without the emotional boost a familiar face can bring.

In this issue of CURE®, we share advice from experts around the country about how patients with cancer should handle medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also offer insights into the changed face of cancer care from Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy director of the American Cancer Society, as well as a look at how clinical trials may be altered during this time.

We can only hope that the social distancing, handwashing and other measures encouraged by health care leaders will soon begin to ease these challenges for people with cancer and their families.

Elsewhere in the issue, we explore the growing use of virtual reality in cancer care. Doctors or nurses might use this technology to help patients visualize their own disease, its location in the body and the way it will be treated. Virtual reality also can present patients with scenes or games to distract them from the discomforts of treatment. In our article, we look at how this technology is being used in cancer care today and might be applied in the future.

In another feature, we consider the dangers associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and strategies for preventing this condition, an increasing cause of liver cancer.

In other news related to specific cancer types, we bring you a variety of findings from doctors and patient advocates at the recent Miami Breast Cancer Conference® and look at why lifesaving screening for lung cancer is being vastly underused.

Finally, we report on lifestyle issues, including chemo brain, dietary supplements and how to thrive while in the infusion chair.

We hope these discussions will better acquaint you with the latest trends in patient care, including practices that have changed due to the spread of COVID-19 and how those adjustments might affect you. With knowledge comes the ability to make sound medical decisions, and that can make an enormous difference.

As always, thank you for reading.

You can read more about the Spring issue here.