High Risk?

JRNJ

If I finished chemo this month, bloodwork is normal, and am starting radiation tomorrow, is that considered high risk for corona? Are all breast cancer patients high risk?

MinusTwo

JRN - are your blood counts back up to normal? There are lots of variables. The MODS had posted some links at the front page of this site with more info specifically related to BC patients that you might check.

JRNJ

ok I’ll check, thanks minus two. My last blood test was normal but it was 4 days after a zaraxio shot.

MinusTwo

https://community.breastcancer.org/

Here's the link for the cover page

DogMomRunner

My MO considers me high risk due to my Herceptin treatment and my low WBC. It didn't rebound from my chemo last summer. Other than that I have no underlying conditions because (for right now and until a diagnostic mammogram says otherwise) I am cancer free. That I know of at least

Simbobby

I read somewhere that if you’ve been actively treated for breast cancer in the last two years, you’re higher risk. I also notice that you had lymph node removal but you don,t mention how many Remember that your lymph nodes are part of your immune system. If your immune system is compromised, you are at higher risk.

JRNJ

Thanks Simbobby. I didnt find too much info. The posted podcast dr was very general, said not much data to tell us who is higher risk regarding what stage of treatment you are in. I had 5 nodes removed and start radiation tomorrow.

Kikki

Hi JRNJ!

I was also wondering if I’m considered a a higher risk than general public due to timing of surgery for breast cancer (1/20/20), radiation for 4 weeks (finished 3/24/20), and starting Tamoxifen(it does not compromise or suppress, but there are medical journals which states it immunomodulates). I am also stressed because I work as an emergency room nurse, but have been off for the past month due to skin issues, etc. from radiation. My medical oncologist said that I’m at a “slightly higher” risk such as someone with asthma. Wait a minute......people who have asthma and get Covid-19 are dying and some are just fine. I don’t know what to do. I’m not lazy, I work very hard. I am worried because no one will support me in working in a different area or something like that. I worry that I will have complications if I get this virus due to the higher viral load I may be exposed to as an er nurse even with PPE. My medical oncologist even said at one point “ what do you want me to say”? As if I’m just trying to be off. I was never asking for that. I was merely asking what my risk is. I have been a nurse for 20 years in great standing and now I have to make a decision about my job based on little information and no support from my cancer team. Where I get treated at I work as well. I feel because of this Covid-19 thing that I am being treated based on the fact that I am an er nurse; not as a patient in regards to my risk. The other issues are I was told before, that some neurological issues I have are from cerebral palsy from an accident when I was in the 7th grade, as well as Raynauds Syndrome; as well as my husband having had testicular cancer in the past. I want to be informed so that I can make the right decision for myself and family.

SarahSmilesatMe

I believe someone else posted a link to an article on another forum... it was from Fred Hutch in Seattle (fredhutch.com - “What Cancer Patients Need to Know”). It was an article from early March that discussed those in active and previous treatment. Everyday it seems we are learning something new about this virus. There may be more up-to-date info out there.

DivineMrsM

JR, if you are unsure, err on the side of caution. You don’t say how you actually feel, only that your bloodwork is normal. Many times I notice women have a tendency to “minimize” their cancer treatment. This was no small medical process you went through. Give yourself the respect you deserve for going through chemo and completing it. Now you are on to radiation, and that is a different kind of rough on the body. Many of us experience extreme fatigue, and the area you’re getting radiated may burn and need extra tlc. Again, please don’t minimize this part of your treatment. Yes, you go and lay on a table and get zapped and it may seem simple. But these are powerful rays. You may be tempted to power through it all. But you are still in treatment, so take extra care of yourself and practice self-kindness.

Salamandra

Hi Kikki,

I'm sorry your doctor wasn't more knowledgeable and supportive! Some doctors don't know how to say "I don't know." I also had the impression that asthma is a significant risk factor. My friend who had a pretty rough time (didn't have to go to the hospital but it was very close) had *extremely mild* asthma.

Can you try to speak with your radiation oncologist? I would be more concerned about radiation than about tamoxifen. My RO promised me that the radiation wouldn't impact my lungs but depending on the exact location and everything...

It's infuriating that the implication is that you want to shirk when you're just trying to take care of yourself!

I would say call out and take care of yourself and let yourself recover. This pandemic will be a marathon, not a sprint. When you are further out from radiation, or we learn more about it, or we get to adequate PPE, or you get an opinion from an MD you have confidence in, your work will be very much needed and there will be value in having someone fresh to the fight.