The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

4,623 members • 2,751 posts

Live chat today 14/04/2020 at 2pm-3pm, Please add questions below Live chat now Closed

Welcome, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Community, to our 'Ask the Nurse' live chat. We are here to answer YOUR questions.

For the next hour, please feel free to ask our nurse any questions about lung cancer treatments, symptoms, side effects and coronavirus. This is open to people living with lung cancer, family members, carers and those worried about symptoms.

Please type your question(s) below. Anyone wanting to speak privately in confidence should either PM us or contact us on our helpline 0800 358 7200.

Don't forget to keep refreshing the page to see the latest questions and responses.

We are here for you - throughout the pandemic and beyond - so keep the questions coming and we'll do our best to answer them for you and help reduce any anxiety you might be feeling in these worrying times.

12 Replies

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My Nephew has just found out he has bone cancer. he is receiving chemo by tablet form. Is this available for other types of cancer?

Hi jillygirl

Thank you for your post and sorry to hear about your nephew.

Yes , oral chemotherapy can be used for other cancers e.g Breast, Kidney and stomach to name a few.

Cancer research UK provide an A-Z list of cancer drugs that can be looked up from this link:

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

Hope all goes well for you nephew.

We are happy to discuss anything either by email at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org or our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

Ask the Nurse

The Roy Castle Support Team

Thank you. X

Is it possible for people with lung cancer to catch coronavirus and to get only mild symptoms or remain asympomatic? Or does the lung cancer automatically mean that the catching the virus will automatically lead to severe and possible fatal consequences?

Dear Centaury

Thank you for your post. If the cancer is active just now , it may be his immune system and respiratory system could be compromised severely. It does depend on how their current health is just now and if they are on active treatment. For those placed in the extremely vulnerable list they are at most risk of becoming acutely unwell if they catch the virus, hence the important measures to take of shielding and protecting them. This link details this:

gov.uk/government/publicati...

Having lung cancer does not automatically mean you will catch the virus, but you are certainly more at risk of the consequences of this. The virus is respiratory and is spread by an infected person coughing or sneezing and contact from droplets on surfaces. As with all the NHS and GOV UK guidance, ensuring good hygiene and social distancing will prevent the spread, especially correct hand washing.

Anyone can catch the virus as you know, it can be no symptoms to severe, but by following the guidance given in the following link, this will protect those most at risk.

nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

If you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

Ask the nurse

The Roy Castle Support Team

Thank you. I finished my chemo/radiotherapy course in January and now on 3 monthly checks. I feel quite well now, but was placed on the extremely vulnerable list. I am following the govt guidance. But before the lockdown I was getting back my fitness, walking 8-10 km on the flat without any issue so it’s been frustrating to be stuck indoors seemingly indefinitely.

Dear Centaury

Good on you for getting so fit and can imagine this must be frustrating for you on the restrictions. There may be some online/you tube fitness/dancing you can participate in during the isolation, to keep your fitness level up.

Stay well and safe

Ask the nurse

The Roy Castle Support Team

Although I do not have lung cancer myself to my knowledge, I have had friends who have passed because of this disease, my question is more to do with the shielding, I do have copd/emphysema and have been classed as high risk, I have been doing as asked but my problem is that I live in a block of flats that is a bit of a rabbit warren, to take out my rubbish I have to go down a flight of stairs to a communal walkway leading to the rubbish chute, I do wear gloves and wash my hands as recommended when I return to the flat, but to take out recycle bags I would need to use the lift to go outside to the recycle bins (I live on the 4th floor) what would your advice be on this matter, thank you

Hi Doggie123-UK

It's the everyday tasks that often seem the most difficult at the moment. Is there someone who would be willing to take the recyling down for you if you leave it at your door? If not it sounds like you have a good regime in place for your rubbish and you could use it for taking out your recycling.

We are happy to discuss anything either by email at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org or our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

Ask the Nurse

The Roy Castle Support Team

this is the type of service that many areas are wanting to help individuals with especially those who are 'at risk'. Chronic COPD and chronic asthma patients are on the shielding list (housebound for 12 weeks) but those with well managed COPD and asthma are in the 'vulnerable' group initially announced. Many councils and voluntary service councils have set up groups of volunteers to shop, fetch items, and I would consider this one such service they might perform for you. have a look at the council's website and see if they signpost you to any support services. when my dad had surgery a couple of years ago for his bowel cancer (his 3rd and he was 87) I arranged with his council that the dustmen would collect their bins and take them down the pathway and return them. I have to email each year to confirm that due to their health (my dad is 90 and cares for my mum with alzheimers) that the service is still required. it's free of charge. I know it can be really tricky in tower blocks to arrange a similar service but maybe you have a neighbour who could help you given these strange circumstances? hope you can find some support.

This 'Live chat' is now finished please join us on Thursday 23rd 2-3pm for our next one.

Sorry I missed the session - hope to join a future one. thanks for providing a valuable service.