Advice for cancer patients as Covid-19 and other viruses are on the increase

With Covid-19, flu and other winter viruses on the rise, people in cancer treatment may need to take extra steps to keep themselves healthy.

According to the Irish Cancer Society’s website cancer.ie: “When you are in cancer treatment and for some time afterwards, you might be more at risk of infections like the flu or Covid-19. This is especially true in the winter months.”

The ICS is advising anyone with cancer to get all vaccines and boosters boosters

as soon as they are offered, unless their hospital medical team advises otherwise. 

This includes the flu vaccine, the Covid vaccine and booster vaccines, and pneumococcal vaccines.

Preventing Infection

The ICS has advice for those who are going through cancer treatment or has a weakened immune system:

-Follow the latest government health advice.

-Make sure all of your vaccines and boosters are up to date. Check with your medical team if you have questions.

-Make sure everyone living in the house, including children, have all of their vaccines and boosters up to date.

-Avoid contact with anyone who is unwell. Check with visitors before they arrive if they and their household are well. 

-Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap when in contact with other people, before eating, before touching your face, after using the bathroom, when you get home 

-Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. 

-Wear a mask in busy public spaces such as shops and public transport, and in crowded outdoor spaces.

-Continue to work from home where possible.

-Ventilate your home well by opening windows and doors especially when you have visitors if possible.

-Clean and disinfect anything that you touch regularly. 

-Do not share food, drinks, cups, or cutlery.

Infections of all kinds spread easily in the home, so practicing these steps when visiting someone in cancer treatment can help protect them from many different diseases.

Loved ones who are in cancer treatment or who have weak immune systems have to be very careful about visitors, and about travelling outside their home.

Further support and information for people going through cancer treatment is available from the Irish Cancer Society at cancer.ie, by emailing supportline@irishcancer.ie or by calling 1800 200 700.