Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This virus basically affects the human respiratory system and increases the risk of death. The first case of COVID-19 was found at the end of 2019. The number of cases kept rising and became a pandemic in 2020. This pandemic was very severe and lasted for 2 years until the discovery of vaccine. Even though the situation is under control now as the researchers have developed a vaccine, researchers are trying to understand more about COVID-19.
The research published in The Lancet Oncology has revealed that people under the age of 50 years who had cancer died more than people without cancer of the same age group. This research involved 2 groups of COVID-19 patients such as the cancer group, consisting of 6500 patients who had cancer and the non-cancer group, consisting of 177000 patients who did not have any type of cancer.
When researchers observed and studied the collected data thoroughly, they found that patients in the cancer group died 31.7% more than the non-cancer group at 30 days of their diagnosis. It was also seen that 18% of patients in the cancer group died 30 days after diagnosis.
Researchers further tried to understand various factors that can increase the risk of death in the cancer group. Researchers found that patients in the cancer group who also had other health problems did not have the risk of early death. But weak immune system was noticed as a major risk factor as patients who were weak had a higher risk of death.
When looked at the change in the rate of death in hospitals during the first two years of pandemics in the United States, researchers found that the rate was decreased for both groups. But it was noticeable in the non-cancer group as it was very low. This difference clearly shows that cancer patients have a higher risk of getting COVID-19.
One of the researchers said there is a need to make some strategies like arranging vaccine programs and making sure that cancer patients get their COVID-19 vaccine on time.
The results of this study show that COVID-19 increases the risk of death in people having any type of cancer and weak immune system. Healthcare professionals should keep these factors in mind while making treatment strategies.
Reference Link:
Lance Turtle et al, Changes in hospital mortality in patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic (ISARIC-CCP-UK): a prospective, multicentre cohort study, The Lancet Oncology (2024).
