Facing-Off with Prostate Cancer During the Coronavirus Pandemic

[marnieg46]

Following on from the excellent, informative advice and update on the implications of Coronavirus posted by cujoe over the last few days, the recent PCF Newsletter, see link below, might be of interest to some readers.

The newsletter acknowledges the real concerns and questions of many affected by prostate cancer or those who care for them. Many will be wondering about what to do and how to manage the situation due to the spread. As NP Fisherman always reminds us, the newsletter stresses that science and research are the best tools for management of prostate cancer, whether it’s on the day to day basis of normal life or the extraordinary circumstances, we are now experiencing … a public health emergency. In some countries, mine not excluded, the media messages, press conferences and even information on official websites are at times confusing and often contradictory and are not designed to address specific situations of individuals.

The PCF article, written specifically for those with prostate cancer, provides a number of helpful links reminding of the symptoms to be watchful for and also guidelines to stay safe and avoid contact or spread. The bonus is that the information is geared to those who have prostate cancer and provides a degree of confidence that the content comes from an organisation that is recognised for providing advice that is both rigorous and informed by current research.

Information in the newsletter in relation to those in early stage, active surveillance, those receiving radiation or scheduled for surgery would not seem to be at an increased risk because early prostate cancer has not been shown to significantly affect the immune system unlike blood cancers. Likewise, using other virus infections as the litmus test, the article notes that there is no evidence, that those on hormone therapy are at higher risk. However, it also stresses that while this may be the case with the more commonly known viral infections it carries a warning that Coronavirus is not the norm and that no data is available in relation to if it will affect the immune system.

As expected, the article warns that other treatments, such as chemotherapy could increase the risk of Coronavirus severity. Ongoing monitoring of the data for this group is being undertaken by ASCO and CDC. See the link in the newsletter.... asco.org/asco-coronavirus-i... and also the practical helpful information in the relevant section of the newsletter. The risk of co-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease as well as respiratory conditions are also noted as possibly increasing the risk.

In addition to the items outlined above of the pertinent information specifically for those with prostate cancer, also included in the article is a very helpful list of other relevant resources. While many readers will be aware of the vast amount of information flowing in on this new virus, I think this particular article provides some balanced, well informed information on issues that might not be addressed in other forums.

pcf.org/covid-19/

[NPfisherman]

Thanks for posting this information, marnieg46...The PCF and ASCO provide solid information. I have been on Lupron and Zytiga for over 16 months and watched my lymphocyte count go down over time..still WNL though....Avoid crowded situations, hand washing, wiping down grocery carts with Purell wipes if available.... only go out when you must....

Be safe and Be well, folks...

Fish

[NPfisherman]

We are now starting to see some studies showing efficacy of using chloroquine and hyroxychloroquine (plaquenil) against CoVid 19....both are relatively cheap drugs...speeds up recovery and decreases ability to transmit virus after 6 days...

Fish

[Hidden in reply to NPfisherman]

Salud Don ! Were to get it? Do you start it once you’re infected?

[NPfisherman in reply to Hidden]

Yes, they are giving it after infection...some info:

forbes.com/sites/lisettevoy...

I will look for the French study that I saw yesterday showing efficacy against coronavirus--read article--Marseille study

medscape.com/viewarticle/92...

Stay low, wash hands, sanitize...and we shall survive...

Don Pescado

[Hidden in reply to NPfisherman]

Paz Don !

[Hidden]

Thanks 😊 You are a wonderful

Writer . You must have a masters at least . My sweet wife is on me like a hawk . About going out in public and staying away from town . Happily for us we love to be at home and it’s a pleasure to do so. As long as we have good? Our Mormon neighbors here in the west have a covenant to hold good for the family for a year. Doesn’t sound so silly now. In fact after this passes. And it will, I’m going to keep stash my self . Truthfully I’ve lived in semi isolation since dx . I’m used to avoiding contact. Marnieg, we had six inches of snow last night. How different our worlds are .. wish I could ship the snow to you . Thanks for the post . I know good and well that you’re going to protect your guy like my sweetheart and I protect each other. Only time will tell how this all turns out . Good luck to you both in evasion mode like the rest of us . Peace 🕊

[marnieg46]

Yes Whimpy you need to be super careful. The advice here is that you need to have a really good space right around you not just think about the distance when you're facing someone. I expect that is because the virus can live on inanimate products like clothes etc.

People hoarding here is a really big problem and our Prime Minister describes it as very un-Australian which it is but that still doesn't make any difference.....the toilet roll and tissue shelves are bare as are the shelves that have disinfectant and hand sanitiser.

Thanks for the offer of snow but just now our weather is very beautiful ...still beach weather but not too hot.

Stay well and take good care. Regards, Marnie

ps...check out the post on the live video tomorrow at noon about the virus and prostrate cancer.

[Hidden in reply to marnieg46]

Thanks and be well! 🙏