Cancer sufferers have twice the risk of dying from Covid-19 compared to non-cancer patients, a large study released on Thursday concluded. The more advanced the cancer, the greater the risk of dying, the study published in the prestigious medical journal also demonstrated. The Lancet. The researchers used data from 900 cancer patients in the United States, Canada and Spain.
They compared their mortality rate 30 days after their confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19. “The 30-day mortality from all causes was 13%, more than double the average mortality in the world reported by (university) Johns Hopkins,” Toni Choueiri, oncologist at the institute, told AFP. cancer treatment Dana-Farber and co-author of the study.
Patients in good general condition were able to continue treatment
Confirming already known conclusions, the researchers also established as aggravating factors of death advancement in age, male sex, the presence of medical history and dependence on tobacco.
Finally, chemotherapy and other anti-cancer treatments taken during the four weeks examined had no effect on the death curve. The study authors concluded that patients in good general condition could continue with appropriate cancer treatment, despite their Covid-19.
On the other hand, patients with fragile health or suffering from cancer progressing significantly should carefully weigh the pros and cons in terms of the risks of continuing their oncology care.
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