Cancer treatment and coronavirus (covid)
You might be worried if coronavirus (covid) will affect your cancer treatment.
Cancer treatment and covid
You may be concerned about the effect covid could have on your treatment and care. You may also worry that having cancer treatment could put you more at risk of becoming very unwell with covid.
The advice for people with cancer is please continue with your treatment and care plan as agreed with your healthcare team. They will talk with you about your treatment and appointments.
If you have questions about your treatment, ask your healthcare team.
The NHS works hard to deliver cancer services. Macmillan aims to support the NHS and also deliver direct support to people with cancer. Our support includes:
- information if you are going through tests, diagnosis or treatment
- access to our support line teams
- financial support to help you cope if you have money worries.
Covid vaccines and cancer treatment
It is important that you look after your health and well-being before you start cancer treatment. This is sometimes called prehabilitation. This means making sure you are as healthy as possible before you start your treatment.
The immune system helps to protect us from infection and disease. It also protects us from viruses like covid. Some things you can do to support your immune system include:
- bring active
- eating well
- getting enough to drink
- getting enough sleep
- maintaining your emotional and mental well-being.
We have advice about looking after your immune system. It includes information about staying active and eating well. We also have information about preparing for treatment.
Preparing for cancer treatment
It is important that you look after your health and well-being before you start cancer treatment. This is sometimes called prehabilitation. This means making sure you are as healthy as possible before you start your treatment.
The immune system helps to protect us from infection and disease. It also protects us from viruses like covid. Some things you can do to look after your immune system are:
- keep active
- eat well
- get enough to drink
- get enough sleep
- look after your emotional and mental well being.
We have some advice about looking after your immune system. It includes information about staying active and eating well. We also have information about preparing for treatment.
When you are having treatment
Your healthcare team will talk with you about your treatment and appointments. If you have any concerns or questions about your treatment, please speak to your team.
If you are coming to a hospital or clinic, you may be asked if you have covid symptoms and may be tested for covid.
You may feel unwell or have signs of infection, including covid symptoms, while having cancer treatment. If this happens, you should immediately phone the 24-hour number given to you by your cancer team.
If you are worried that you may have covid, it is important to get urgent medical advice.
Cancer treatment and your immune system
Some cancer treatments affect the immune system. This includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Radiotherapy may sometimes affect your immune system. Most people’s immune system will recover well after treatment ends. Talk to your hospital team if you are worried about this.
If you have had cancer in the past
If you have had cancer in the past, you may be worried about the risk of getting covid. Covid is a viral infection. If you have a weakened immune system, you are more at risk of being seriously ill if you get covid. Your risk will depend on:
- if you have had covid vaccines
- your general health
- the type of cancer you have had
- the type of treatment you have had
- when you finished treatment.
Most people with cancer will recover well from treatment. Their immune system will usually recover in a few months. Most people will not be more at risk of being seriously unwell if they get covid. Being vaccinated can reduce this risk further. We have information about taking care of yourself and staying well.
Talk to your hospital team if you are worried about your risk of being seriously ill if you get covid.
Getting help and support
At Macmillan we know cancer can disrupt your whole life. We’ll do whatever it takes to help everyone living with cancer in the UK get the support they need right now, and transform cancer care for the future. If you are worried, there is help available and people to talk to.
We are here for you if you have question about covid, cancer treatment or finances. Find out more about different support options and how you can speak to someone.
You can also:
- visit our Cancer Information and Support section on the website to get up to date information about living with cancer and getting support
- use our support services, over the phone or online
- sign up to our Macmillan Buddies service for someone to talk to
- visit the Online Community to share your experience and chat to others
, or use our Ask an expert service. - use our Ask an expert service.
How we can help