🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 179 (from laksa026)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa179.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html","crawl_time":1776590445,"first_indexed_time":1753299277,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,cancer!www,\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html s443","src_root_hash":"7371806594931210179","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"COVID-19 and Cancer | American Cancer Society","meta_descriptions":["Learn about COVID-19, how the virus can affect people with cancer, how to protect yourself and loved ones, and what to know about vaccines and staying safe."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"People with cancer may face higher risks from contagious (spreadable) illnesses, including COVID-19. That’s because cancer and its treatments can weaken their immune system. This makes it harder to fight off infections. The virus can also have more serious side effects in people with certain types of cancer.\nLearn about COVID-19, how the virus can affect people with cancer, how to protect yourself and loved ones, and what to know about vaccines and staying safe.\nWhat is COVID-19?\nCOVID-19\n(coronavirus disease 2019) is the name of the illness caused by a type of virus called a\ncoronavirus\n. Several types of coronaviruses can infect humans. Some can cause more serious illnesses than others. The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is\nSARS-CoV-2\n.\nBoth adults and children can get COVID-19, even more than once. It's important to know that\nanyone\nwith COVID-19 can spread it, even if they don’t have any symptoms.\nInfection with any virus, including the COVID-19 virus, causes the body’s immune system to respond and try to get rid of the infection. Your immune system normally also helps to protect you from severe illness and from getting infected again with the same virus.\nSome cancers and their treatments can weaken your immune system, making it easier for infections to get in and harder for the body to fight them off.\nCOVID-19 variants\nOver time, viruses such as COVID-19 can change or\nmutate\n, resulting in\nnew variants of the virus\n. These variants or strains might act slightly differently than the original virus. For example, they might spread more easily or be more resistant to known treatments or vaccines. They may have slightly different symptoms, too.\nSymptoms of COVID-19\nPeople with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Some people might have no symptoms at all.\nAcute COVID-19 infection\nAn\nacute infection\nhappens within a short amount of time after a person is exposed to COVID-19. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.\nThe\nmost common symptoms\nof COVID-19 are:\nFever or chills\nCough\nShortness of breath\nMuscle aches and pains\nSore throat\nLoss of smell or taste\nStuffy or runny nose\nFeeling very tired\nHeadache\nDiarrhea\nNausea or vomiting\nIf you have cancer and have any of the above symptoms that get worse or don’t go away, contact your cancer care team. If you are being treated for your cancer, ask your care team if you need to delay any treatments based on your symptoms.\nCOVID-19 can also sometimes cause\nserious signs and symptoms\nthat need medical attention right away:\nTrouble breathing\nConstant pain or heaviness in the chest\nConfusion or being hard to wake up\nPale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails, depending on skin tone\nWhether you have cancer or not, if you have any of these serious symptoms, get medical attention right away.\nPeople who have certain medical conditions, including cancer, are at a higher risk for severe COVID symptoms. A few risk factors for having more serious signs and symptoms include:\nBeing older\nHaving a weakened immune system\nHaving excess body weight (overweight or obesity)\nSmoking\n, now or in the past\nHaving certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or lung cancer\nLong COVID\nSome people who’ve been infected with COVID-19 might have long-term effects. These might be called\npost-COVID conditions, long COVID, chronic COVID,\nor\nlong-haul COVID.\nPeople who have been reinfected with COVID have a higher risk of developing long COVID.\nA person with long COVID can continue to have some of their initial symptoms last longer than usual. Some symptoms may get better or go away completely while others remain a problem for longer periods of time. These symptoms might last weeks, months, or even longer.\nSome common symptoms of long COVID include:\nExtreme tiredness that affects your daily life\nSymptoms that worsen after mental or physical effort\nTrouble thinking or concentrating\nShortness of breath\nDiarrhea\nPeople who are vaccinated against COVID-19 might be less likely to get long COVID than people who aren’t vaccinated, but anyone can develop long COVID.\nIf you have cancer and have long COVID, be sure to keep your cancer care team updated on your symptoms. Many cancer treatments can have some of the same side effects as the symptoms of long COVID.\nFor the latest on COVID-19 symptoms, variants, and long COVID, visit the\nUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)\nwebsite\n.\nCOVID-19 in people with cancer\nSome people with cancer are at higher risk of serious illness if they get almost any viral infection, including COVID-19. People who were treated for cancer in the past (especially if it was years ago) are less likely to be at higher risk. But the situation for each person is different.\nThe impact of COVID-19 on people living with cancer is still being studied. So far, research shows:\nCancer itself and its treatments can increase a person’s risk of getting COVID-19.\nSome people with cancer have higher risks of having severe symptoms of COVID‑19.\nSome people with cancer have a higher risk of needing to be admitted to the hospital, needing to be in the intensive care unit (ICU), and needing mechanical ventilation (being on a ventilator) to help treat COVID-19 and its symptoms.\nWhich people with cancer are at higher risk from COVID?\nIt’s very important that people with cancer take steps to lower their risk of infection (see below). This is especially true for:\nPeople with\nblood cancers\n (such as leukemia or lymphoma)\nPeople getting\nchemotherapy (chemo)\n, long courses of corticosteroids (steroids), certain types of\nimmunotherapy\n, or a\nstem cell or bone marrow transplant\nPeople living with lung cancer, because the COVID-19 virus often targets the\nrespiratory system\nPeople who need frequent medical appointments, which can increase their risk of being exposed to COVID-19\nIf you have questions about COVID-19, remember each person’s situation is different. It's important that people who’ve had cancer talk with a doctor\n \nwho understands their situation and medical history.\nHow can I lower my risk of getting COVID-19?\nThere are several things you can do to help lower your risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus.\nStay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines\nVaccines are one of the most important ways to help protect against COVID-19.\nSeveral vaccines are available to help protect against COVID-19. Because the COVID-19 virus changes over time, updated versions of the vaccines come out each year, to help protect against the most recent strains of the virus.\nTalk with your cancer care team about the vaccine\nMost cancer doctors advise COVID-19 vaccines for people with cancer. But if you’re being treated for cancer, there might be times when it makes sense to postpone getting the vaccine for a while, such as if the treatment will severely weaken your immune system. Some cancer treatments might even wipe out your immune system for a while, which might mean you need to get revaccinated later on.\nIf you’re being treated for cancer, talk to your doctor about your immune status and whether it could affect the best time for you to get the vaccine, as well as what else you can do to help lower your risk of COVID-19 infection.\nFor more on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the \nCDC\nwebsite\n.\nTalk to your doctor about other medicines to lower your risk\nFor people who are less likely to get enough protection from COVID-19 vaccines,\npemivibart (Pemgarda)\ncan help lower the risk of infection. This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein (IV), typically once every 3 months.\nIt’s important to note that\nin people who can get COVID-19 vaccines, this treatment should be used\nin addition to, not instead of\ngetting the vaccine\n. Talk to your doctor for more information and to find out whether pemivibart is an option for you.\nLower your risk in other ways\nBeing vaccinated and taking preventive medicines can help lower your risk, but those actions don’t protect you completely. Even if you’re up to date with vaccines or have had COVID-19 in the past, you can still be infected or reinfected.\nOther things you can do to help lower your risk of getting COVID-19, as well as other respiratory infections like the flu, might include:\nAvoiding crowded indoor spaces\nAvoiding close contact with people who are sick\nWearing a mask when out in public\nIf you have (or have had) cancer, or if you’re taking care of someone with cancer, talk to the cancer care team about which precautions are right for you.\nTheir recommendations will depend on whether you have a weakened immune system or other risk factors for severe COVID-19.\nLearn more ways to protect yourself and others in\nInfections in People with Cancer\n.\nHow is COVID-19 treated?\nNot everyone who gets COVID-19 needs to be treated. But treating COVID-19 can be very helpful for some people, especially those who are more likely to get very sick from it. Several different drugs (or combinations of drugs) might be used, depending on how sick a person is, how old they are, and other factors. If needed, these treatments can be used in most people, including people with cancer.\nDepending on the drug used, these treatments typically work by:\nTargeting the virus that causes COVID-19.\nReducing inflammation in the body. Inflammation can lead to some of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19.\nResearchers are also studying many other drugs that might help treat COVID-19 or its symptoms.\nQuestions to ask your health care team about COVID-19\nIf you have cancer or have had cancer in the past, here are some questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19:\nAm I at higher risk of serious illness if I get COVID-19? Why or why not?\nShould I get the COVID-19 vaccine? If so, should I get it now, or should I wait?\nCould my cancer or its treatment affect how well the vaccine works for me?\nShould I take any other steps to lower my risk of getting COVID, even if I’ve had the vaccine? If so, what would these be?\nWhat about the people taking care of me? Should they get the COVID vaccine and\/or take other steps to lower their risk?\nWhat should I do if I have symptoms that might be from COVID-19?\nIf I get sick from COVID-19, will it affect my treatment or the outlook (prognosis) of my cancer?\nRemember, each person’s cancer, treatment, and situation can be different, so the answers might not be the same for everyone.\nWhere can I learn more about COVID-19?\nFor other sources of information on COVID-19, including more detailed answers to some common questions, visit the following websites:\nCenters for Disease Control and Prevention\n(CDC)\nFood and Drug Administration\n(FDA)\nNational Cancer Institute\n(NCI)\nWorld Health Organization\n(WHO)","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html#center-right-container)\n\n0 showDesktop,showTablet,showMobile\n\n![A young girl rings the bell surrounded by people ](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/adobe\/dynamicmedia\/deliver\/dm-aid--e04d4f05-0691-4947-b4a3-8b318bfe1a13\/fy26-august-hope-lodge-lightbox.jpg?preferwebp=true&quality=82)\n\n\\$100 donation = One free night near treatment.\n\nWhen cancer takes both health and savings, a free place to stay near treatment means everything. Your gift makes it possible.\n\n[\\$50](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n\n[\\$100](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n\n[\\$250](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n\n[\\$500](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n\nThe value must be greater than or equal to \\$5\n\nThe value must be lesser than \\$1M\n\n[Donate Now](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?amount=100&campaign=hopelodgelightbox&lang=en)\n\nYour gift is 100% tax deductible.\n\n×\n\n[English]()\n\n- [English]()\n- [Esta página](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/es\/cancer\/como-sobrellevar-el-cancer\/efectos-secundarios\/infecciones\/covid-19-y-cancer.html)\n- [Página inicial](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/es.html)\n- [Arabic (اللغة العربية)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/arabic.html)\n- [Chinese (简体中文)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/chinese.html)\n- [French (Français)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/french.html)\n- [Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/haitian-creole.html)\n- [Hindi (जानकारी)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/hindi.html)\n- [Korean (한국어)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/korean.html)\n- [Polish (język polski)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/polish.html)\n- [Portuguese (Português)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/portuguese.html)\n- [Russian (Русский)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/russian.html)\n- [Spanish (Español)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/spanish.html)\n- [Tagalog (Tagalog)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/tagalog.html)\n- [Ukrainian (Українська)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/ukrainian.html)\n- [Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/vietnamese.html)\n- [All Languages](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages.html)\n\nContact Us  [800\\.227.2345](tel:800.227.2345)   [Help](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)    [Sign Up For Email](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/email-sign-up.html)\n\n[Give In Honor & Memorial](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=honormemorialbutton&lang=en)\n\n[Donate](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=default&lang=en)\n\n- [![ACS Logo Alt Txt](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/images\/logos\/acs\/acs-logo.svg)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/)\n- [All About Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Cancer Types](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types.html)\n  \n  - [Breast Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/breast-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Colon & Rectal Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/colon-rectal-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Lung Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/lung-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Prostate Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/prostate-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Skin Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/skin-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [All Cancer Types](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types.html)\n  \n  - [Understanding Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [What Is Cancer?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/what-is-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Glossary](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/glossary.html)\n  \n  - [Anatomy Gallery](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/anatomy-gallery.html)\n  \n  - [Risk & Prevention](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention.html)\n  \n  - [Genetics](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/genetics.html)\n  \n  - [Tobacco](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/tobacco.html)\n  \n  - [HPV](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/hpv.html)\n  \n  - [Diet & Physical Activity](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/diet-physical-activity.html)\n  \n  - [Sun Safety](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/sun-and-uv.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Risk Assessment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/cancer-risk-360.html)\n  \n  - [Screening](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/screening.html)\n  \n  - [Diagnosis, Tests, Staging](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/diagnosis-staging.html)\n  \n  - [Signs & Symptoms](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/diagnosis-staging\/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Coping with a New Diagnosis](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/coping.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Care](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Treatment Types](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types.html)\n  \n  - [Making Treatment Decisions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions.html)\n  \n  - [Preparing for Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/preparing-for-treatment.html)\n  \n  - [Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects.html)\n  \n  - [Daily Life & Supportive Care During Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/supportive-care.html)\n  \n  - [Patient Navigation](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/patient-navigation.html)\n  \n  - [Financial & Insurance Matters](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/financial-insurance-matters.html)\n  \n  - [End of Life Care](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/end-of-life-care.html)\n  \n  - [Survivorship](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/survivorship.html)\n  \n  - [Caregivers & Family](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/caregivers.html)\n  \n  - [Childhood Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/childhood-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Adolescents & Young Adults](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/adolescents-young-adults.html)\n  \n  - [Veterans](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/veterans.html)\n  \n  - [For Health Professionals](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/health-care-professionals.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Connection Stories](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/latest-news.html)\n  \n  - [Bookstore](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/american-cancer-society-books.html)\n  \n  [Explore All About Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer.html)\n- [All About Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [Programs & Services](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Road To Recovery - Free Rides to Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/road-to-recovery.html)\n  \n  - [Free Lodging During Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/patient-lodging.html)\n  \n  - [ACS CARES™](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/acs-cares.html)\n  \n  - [Free Smoking Cessation Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/tobacco\/empowered-to-quit.html)\n  \n  - [Connect with Survivors](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/online-communities.html)\n  \n  - [Breast Cancer Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/acs-cares.html)\n  \n  - [Survivor Stories](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/cancer-stories.html)\n  \n  - [24\/7 Cancer Helpline](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/online-help\/contact-us.html)\n  \n  - [Call us 1-800-227-2345](tel:\/\/1-800-227-2345)\n  \n  - [Resource Search](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/resource-search.html)\n  \n  - [Corporate Resources](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/corporate-resources.html)\n  \n  [Explore Programs & Services](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services.html)\n- [Programs & Services](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [Ways to Give](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Donate Online](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate.html)\n  \n  - [Become a Monthly Donor](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=menumonthly)\n  \n  - [Donate Now](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=menudefault)\n  \n  - [Honor & Memorial Giving](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=honormemorialmenu)\n  \n  - [Make a Corporate Donation](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/corporate)\n  \n  - [Top 5 Reasons to Become a Monthly Donor](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/top-5-reasons.html)\n  \n  - [More Ways to Give](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate.html)\n  \n  - [Donate by Mail or Phone](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html)\n  \n  - [Donate Your Car](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/cars-for-a-cure.html)\n  \n  - [Donate Your Stuff](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate.html#stuff)\n  \n  - [Donate DAF](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/donor-advised-fund.html)\n  \n  - [Donate FAQs](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/online-help\/donation-faq.html)\n  \n  - [Shop to Save Lives](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/shop.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Shop](https:\/\/shop.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Events Shop](https:\/\/www.acseventstore.org\/)\n  \n  - [Greeting Cards](https:\/\/www.acsholidaycollection.org\/index.jsp)\n  \n  - [Discovery Shops](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/discovery-shops-national.html)\n  \n  - [Partner Promotions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/partners-promotions.html)\n  \n  - [Philanthropy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/philanthropy.html)\n  \n  - [Wills, Trusts, and Legacy Giving](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/planned-giving.html)\n  \n  - [Donor Advised Funds (DAF)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/donor-advised-fund.html)\n  \n  - [IRA Charitable Rollover](https:\/\/cancer.plannedgiving.org\/ira-charitable-rollover)\n  \n  - [Stock Gifts](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/gifts-of-securities.html)\n  \n  - [Foundations](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/philanthropy\/foundation-giving.html)\n  \n  - [Become a Partner](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner.html)\n  \n  - [Our Valued Partners](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/our-partners.html)\n  \n  - [Partner Promotions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/partners-promotions.html)\n  \n  - [Corporate Resources](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/corporate-resources.html)\n  \n  - [Corporate & Workplace Giving](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/employee-engagement.html)\n  \n  - [Become a Corporate Partner](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner.html)\n  \n  - [Become a Corporate Donor](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/corporate-and-workplace-giving.html)\n  \n  - [Workplace Giving & Matching Funds](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/matching-gifts.html)\n  \n  - [Organize a Workplace Fundraiser](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/employee-engagement\/micro-campaigns.html)\n  \n  - [Payroll Deductions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/employee-engagement.html)\n  \n  [Explore Ways to Give](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate.html)\n- [Ways to Give](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [Get Involved](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Fundraising Events](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/event-search.html)\n  \n  - [Relay For Life](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/relay-for-life.html)\n  \n  - [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/making-strides-against-breast-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Endurance Events](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/determination.html)\n  \n  - [Galas, Balls, and Parties](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/galas.html)\n  \n  - [Golf Tournaments](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/golf-tournaments.html)\n  \n  - [Start a Fundraiser](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise.html)\n  \n  - [Create Your Own Fundraiser](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/diy-fundraising.html)\n  \n  - [Fundraise on Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/fund\/AmericanCancerSociety\/)\n  \n  - [Youth Sports](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/youth-sports.html)\n  \n  - [Virtual Challenges](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/virtual-challenges.html)\n  \n  - [Volunteer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/volunteer.html)\n  \n  - [Be an Advocate](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/volunteer\/acs-can.html)\n  \n  - [Opportunities for Organizations](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/employee-engagement.html)\n  \n  - [ACS GenNow Network](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/young-professionals.html)\n  \n  - [Donate](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=default&lang=en)\n  \n  ![featured image](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/es_es\/images\/homepage\/making-strides-against-breast-cancer-header-thumbnail.jpg)\n  \n  [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/making-strides-against-breast-cancer.html)\n  \n  [Explore Get Involved](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved.html)\n- [Get Involved](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [Our Research & Journals](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Highlights of ACS Cancer Research](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-research-highlights.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Research News](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-research-news.html)\n  \n  - [Apply for an ACS Grant](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research\/apply-research-grant.html)\n  \n  - [Grant Application and Review Process](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research\/apply-research-grant\/our-grant-process.html)\n  \n  - [Currently Funded Grants](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/currently-funded-cancer-research.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Facts & Statistics](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/cancer-facts-statistics.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Screening Guidelines](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/health-care-professionals\/american-cancer-society-prevention-early-detection-guidelines.html)\n  \n  - [CPS-3: Cancer Prevention Study-3](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/cps3-cancer-prevention-study-3.html)\n  \n  - [VOICES of Black Women Study](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/voices-of-black-women.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Research Training](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-cancer-research-training.html)\n  \n  - [For High School Students](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-cancer-research-training\/all-programs-table\/high-school-program.html)\n  \n  - [For College Undergraduates](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-cancer-research-training\/all-programs-table\/internship-for-undergraduates.html)\n  \n  - [For Post-Baccalaureate Fellows](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-cancer-research-training\/all-programs-table\/acs-post-baccalaureate-fellows-program.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Research Team Bios](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-researchers.html)\n  \n  - [Early Cancer Detection Science](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/health-care-professionals\/american-cancer-society-prevention-early-detection-guidelines\/overview.html)\n  \n  - [Extramural Discovery Science](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research.html)\n  \n  - [Population Science](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/population-science.html)\n  \n  - [Surveillance, Prevention, & Health Services Research](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/surveillance.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Medical Journals](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/health-care-professionals\/acs-publications.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Atlas](https:\/\/canceratlas.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [US Tobacco Atlas](https:\/\/ustobaccoatlas.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Cancer Statistics Center](https:\/\/cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Glossary for Nonscientists](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/understanding-cancer-research-terms.html)\n  \n  - [Research Events](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research\/american-cancer-society-research-events19.html)\n  \n  - [Jiler Conference](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research\/jiler-professors-and-fellows-conference.html)\n  \n  ![featured image](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/research\/cancer-facts-and-statistics\/cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-facts-and-figures\/US%20states%20wordle%20art.png)\n  \n  [How Does Your State Compare?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-research-news\/how-well-is-your-state-protecting-you-from-cancer.html)\n  \n  [Explore Our Research](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research.html)\n- [Our Research & Journals](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Who We Are](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are.html)\n  \n  - [110 Years of Wins](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/110-anniversary.html)\n  \n  - [Our Mission](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/mission-statements.html)\n  \n  - [Our Core Values](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/our-core-values.html)\n  \n  - [Our Valued Partners](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/our-partners.html)\n  \n  - [Our History](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/our-history.html)\n  \n  - [Our Leadership](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/executive-leadership.html)\n  \n  - [Financials & Governance](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/financial-governance-information.html)\n  \n  - [What We Do](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do.html)\n  \n  - [Encourage Prevention](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/encouraging-prevention.html)\n  \n  - [Provide Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/providing-support.html)\n  \n  - [Address Cancer Disparities](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/health-equity.html)\n  \n  - [Foster Innovation](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/fostering-innovation.html)\n  \n  - [Support in Your State](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/local.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Action Network](https:\/\/www.fightcancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Global Cancer Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/global-cancer-support.html)\n  \n  - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/online-help\/contact-us.html)\n  \n  - [Employment Opportunities](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/employment-opportunities.html)\n  \n  - [ACS News Room](https:\/\/pressroom.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Sign Up for Email](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/email-sign-up.html)\n  \n  - [Sign Up for Text Messages](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/sms.html)\n  \n  ![featured image](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/images\/photographs\/corporations\/Delta_JETRELAY_3140.jpg)\n  \n  [We couldn’t do it without the help of our partners](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/our-partners.html)\n  \n  [Explore About Us](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us.html)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n\nSearch\n\n![hamburger](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/acs\/hamburger-icon.svg) ![close-icon](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/acs\/close-icon.svg)\n\n[Give In Honor & Memorial](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=honormemorialbutton&lang=en)\n\n[Sign Up For Email](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/email-sign-up.html)\n\n[Sign Up For Text Messages](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/sms.html)\n\n- [All About Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Cancer Types](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types.html)\n  \n  - [Breast Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/breast-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Colon & Rectal Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/colon-rectal-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Lung Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/lung-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Prostate Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/prostate-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Skin Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/skin-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [All Cancer Types](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types.html)\n  \n  - [Understanding Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [What Is Cancer?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/what-is-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Glossary](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/glossary.html)\n  \n  - [Anatomy Gallery](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/anatomy-gallery.html)\n  \n  - [Risk & Prevention](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention.html)\n  \n  - [Genetics](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/genetics.html)\n  \n  - [Tobacco](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/tobacco.html)\n  \n  - [HPV](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/hpv.html)\n  \n  - [Diet & Physical Activity](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/diet-physical-activity.html)\n  \n  - [Sun Safety](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/sun-and-uv.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Risk Assessment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/cancer-risk-360.html)\n  \n  - [Screening](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/screening.html)\n  \n  - [Diagnosis, Tests, Staging](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/diagnosis-staging.html)\n  \n  - [Signs & Symptoms](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/diagnosis-staging\/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Coping with a New Diagnosis](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/coping.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Care](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Treatment Types](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types.html)\n  \n  - [Making Treatment Decisions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions.html)\n  \n  - [Preparing for Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/preparing-for-treatment.html)\n  \n  - [Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects.html)\n  \n  - [Daily Life & Supportive Care During Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/supportive-care.html)\n  \n  - [Patient Navigation](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/patient-navigation.html)\n  \n  - [Financial & Insurance Matters](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/financial-insurance-matters.html)\n  \n  - [End of Life Care](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/end-of-life-care.html)\n  \n  - [Survivorship](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/survivorship.html)\n  \n  - [Caregivers & Family](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/caregivers.html)\n  \n  - [Childhood Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/childhood-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Adolescents & Young Adults](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/adolescents-young-adults.html)\n  \n  - [Veterans](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/veterans.html)\n  \n  - [For Health Professionals](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/health-care-professionals.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Connection Stories](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/latest-news.html)\n  \n  - [Bookstore](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/american-cancer-society-books.html)\n  \n  [Explore All About Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer.html)\n- [All About Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [Programs & Services](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Road To Recovery - Free Rides to Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/road-to-recovery.html)\n  \n  - [Free Lodging During Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/patient-lodging.html)\n  \n  - [ACS CARES™](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/acs-cares.html)\n  \n  - [Free Smoking Cessation Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/tobacco\/empowered-to-quit.html)\n  \n  - [Connect with Survivors](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/online-communities.html)\n  \n  - [Breast Cancer Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/acs-cares.html)\n  \n  - [Survivor Stories](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/cancer-stories.html)\n  \n  - [24\/7 Cancer Helpline](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/online-help\/contact-us.html)\n  \n  - [Call us 1-800-227-2345](tel:\/\/1-800-227-2345)\n  \n  - [Resource Search](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/resource-search.html)\n  \n  - [Corporate Resources](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/corporate-resources.html)\n  \n  [Explore Programs & Services](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services.html)\n- [Programs & Services](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [Ways to Give](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Donate Online](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate.html)\n  \n  - [Become a Monthly Donor](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=menumonthly)\n  \n  - [Donate Now](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=menudefault)\n  \n  - [Honor & Memorial Giving](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=honormemorialmenu)\n  \n  - [Make a Corporate Donation](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/corporate)\n  \n  - [Top 5 Reasons to Become a Monthly Donor](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/top-5-reasons.html)\n  \n  - [More Ways to Give](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate.html)\n  \n  - [Donate by Mail or Phone](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html)\n  \n  - [Donate Your Car](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/cars-for-a-cure.html)\n  \n  - [Donate Your Stuff](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate.html#stuff)\n  \n  - [Donate DAF](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/donor-advised-fund.html)\n  \n  - [Donate FAQs](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/online-help\/donation-faq.html)\n  \n  - [Shop to Save Lives](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/shop.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Shop](https:\/\/shop.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Events Shop](https:\/\/www.acseventstore.org\/)\n  \n  - [Greeting Cards](https:\/\/www.acsholidaycollection.org\/index.jsp)\n  \n  - [Discovery Shops](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/discovery-shops-national.html)\n  \n  - [Partner Promotions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/partners-promotions.html)\n  \n  - [Philanthropy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/philanthropy.html)\n  \n  - [Wills, Trusts, and Legacy Giving](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/planned-giving.html)\n  \n  - [Donor Advised Funds (DAF)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/donor-advised-fund.html)\n  \n  - [IRA Charitable Rollover](https:\/\/cancer.plannedgiving.org\/ira-charitable-rollover)\n  \n  - [Stock Gifts](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/gifts-of-securities.html)\n  \n  - [Foundations](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/philanthropy\/foundation-giving.html)\n  \n  - [Become a Partner](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner.html)\n  \n  - [Our Valued Partners](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/our-partners.html)\n  \n  - [Partner Promotions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/partners-promotions.html)\n  \n  - [Corporate Resources](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/corporate-resources.html)\n  \n  - [Corporate & Workplace Giving](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/employee-engagement.html)\n  \n  - [Become a Corporate Partner](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner.html)\n  \n  - [Become a Corporate Donor](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/corporate-and-workplace-giving.html)\n  \n  - [Workplace Giving & Matching Funds](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/matching-gifts.html)\n  \n  - [Organize a Workplace Fundraiser](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/employee-engagement\/micro-campaigns.html)\n  \n  - [Payroll Deductions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/employee-engagement.html)\n  \n  [Explore Ways to Give](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate.html)\n- [Ways to Give](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [Get Involved](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Fundraising Events](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/event-search.html)\n  \n  - [Relay For Life](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/relay-for-life.html)\n  \n  - [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/making-strides-against-breast-cancer.html)\n  \n  - [Endurance Events](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/determination.html)\n  \n  - [Galas, Balls, and Parties](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/galas.html)\n  \n  - [Golf Tournaments](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/golf-tournaments.html)\n  \n  - [Start a Fundraiser](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise.html)\n  \n  - [Create Your Own Fundraiser](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/diy-fundraising.html)\n  \n  - [Fundraise on Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/fund\/AmericanCancerSociety\/)\n  \n  - [Youth Sports](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/youth-sports.html)\n  \n  - [Virtual Challenges](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/virtual-challenges.html)\n  \n  - [Volunteer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/volunteer.html)\n  \n  - [Be an Advocate](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/volunteer\/acs-can.html)\n  \n  - [Opportunities for Organizations](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/become-a-partner\/employee-engagement.html)\n  \n  - [ACS GenNow Network](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/young-professionals.html)\n  \n  - [Donate](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=default&lang=en)\n  \n  ![featured image](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/es_es\/images\/homepage\/making-strides-against-breast-cancer-header-thumbnail.jpg)\n  \n  [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/making-strides-against-breast-cancer.html)\n  \n  [Explore Get Involved](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved.html)\n- [Get Involved](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [Our Research & Journals](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Highlights of ACS Cancer Research](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-research-highlights.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Research News](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-research-news.html)\n  \n  - [Apply for an ACS Grant](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research\/apply-research-grant.html)\n  \n  - [Grant Application and Review Process](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research\/apply-research-grant\/our-grant-process.html)\n  \n  - [Currently Funded Grants](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/currently-funded-cancer-research.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Facts & Statistics](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/cancer-facts-statistics.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Screening Guidelines](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/health-care-professionals\/american-cancer-society-prevention-early-detection-guidelines.html)\n  \n  - [CPS-3: Cancer Prevention Study-3](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/cps3-cancer-prevention-study-3.html)\n  \n  - [VOICES of Black Women Study](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/voices-of-black-women.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Research Training](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-cancer-research-training.html)\n  \n  - [For High School Students](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-cancer-research-training\/all-programs-table\/high-school-program.html)\n  \n  - [For College Undergraduates](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-cancer-research-training\/all-programs-table\/internship-for-undergraduates.html)\n  \n  - [For Post-Baccalaureate Fellows](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-cancer-research-training\/all-programs-table\/acs-post-baccalaureate-fellows-program.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Research Team Bios](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-researchers.html)\n  \n  - [Early Cancer Detection Science](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/health-care-professionals\/american-cancer-society-prevention-early-detection-guidelines\/overview.html)\n  \n  - [Extramural Discovery Science](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research.html)\n  \n  - [Population Science](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/population-science.html)\n  \n  - [Surveillance, Prevention, & Health Services Research](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/surveillance.html)\n  \n  - [ACS Medical Journals](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/health-care-professionals\/acs-publications.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Atlas](https:\/\/canceratlas.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [US Tobacco Atlas](https:\/\/ustobaccoatlas.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Cancer Statistics Center](https:\/\/cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Glossary for Nonscientists](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/understanding-cancer-research-terms.html)\n  \n  - [Research Events](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research\/american-cancer-society-research-events19.html)\n  \n  - [Jiler Conference](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/we-fund-cancer-research\/jiler-professors-and-fellows-conference.html)\n  \n  ![featured image](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/research\/cancer-facts-and-statistics\/cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-facts-and-figures\/US%20states%20wordle%20art.png)\n  \n  [How Does Your State Compare?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-research-news\/how-well-is-your-state-protecting-you-from-cancer.html)\n  \n  [Explore Our Research](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research.html)\n- [Our Research & Journals](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Who We Are](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are.html)\n  \n  - [110 Years of Wins](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/110-anniversary.html)\n  \n  - [Our Mission](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/mission-statements.html)\n  \n  - [Our Core Values](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/our-core-values.html)\n  \n  - [Our Valued Partners](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/our-partners.html)\n  \n  - [Our History](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/our-history.html)\n  \n  - [Our Leadership](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/who-we-are\/executive-leadership.html)\n  \n  - [Financials & Governance](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/financial-governance-information.html)\n  \n  - [What We Do](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do.html)\n  \n  - [Encourage Prevention](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/encouraging-prevention.html)\n  \n  - [Provide Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/providing-support.html)\n  \n  - [Address Cancer Disparities](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/health-equity.html)\n  \n  - [Foster Innovation](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/fostering-innovation.html)\n  \n  - [Support in Your State](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/local.html)\n  \n  - [Cancer Action Network](https:\/\/www.fightcancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Global Cancer Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/global-cancer-support.html)\n  \n  - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/online-help\/contact-us.html)\n  \n  - [Employment Opportunities](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/employment-opportunities.html)\n  \n  - [ACS News Room](https:\/\/pressroom.cancer.org\/)\n  \n  - [Sign Up for Email](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/email-sign-up.html)\n  \n  - [Sign Up for Text Messages](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/sms.html)\n  \n  ![featured image](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/images\/photographs\/corporations\/Delta_JETRELAY_3140.jpg)\n  \n  [We couldn’t do it without the help of our partners](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/our-partners.html)\n  \n  [Explore About Us](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us.html)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n\n- Contact Us\n- [800\\.227.2345](tel:800.227.2345)\n- [Help](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n\n[English]()\n\n- [English](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n- [Esta página](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/es\/cancer\/como-sobrellevar-el-cancer\/efectos-secundarios\/infecciones\/covid-19-y-cancer.html)\n- [Página inicial](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/es.html)\n- [Arabic (اللغة العربية)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/arabic.html)\n- [Chinese (简体中文)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/chinese.html)\n- [French (Français)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/french.html)\n- [Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/haitian-creole.html)\n- [Hindi (जानकारी)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/hindi.html)\n- [Korean (한국어)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/korean.html)\n- [Polish (język polski)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/polish.html)\n- [Portuguese (Português)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/portuguese.html)\n- [Russian (Русский)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/russian.html)\n- [Spanish (Español)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/spanish.html)\n- [Tagalog (Tagalog)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/tagalog.html)\n- [Ukrainian (Українська)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/ukrainian.html)\n- [Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages\/vietnamese.html)\n- [All Languages](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer-information-in-other-languages.html)\n\n[![ACS Logo Alt Txt](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/images\/logos\/acs\/acs-logo.svg)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/)\n\n[Donate](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=default&lang=en)\n\nhttps:\/\/searchapi.cancer.org\n\nHelp\n\nOur 24\/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.\n\n**[Start Live Chat](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)**\n\nLive Chat available weekdays, 7:00 am - 6:30 pm CT\n\n**Call us at [1-800-227-2345](tel:1-800-227-2345)**\n\nAvailable any time of day or night\n\nOur highly trained specialists are available 24\/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:\n\n- Referrals to patient-related programs or resources\n- Donations, website, or event-related assistance\n- Tobacco-related topics\n- Volunteer opportunities\n- Cancer Information\n\nFor medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.\n\n1. [Home](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/)\n2. [All About Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer.html)\n3. [Managing Cancer Care](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer.html)\n4. [Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects.html)\n5. [Infections in People with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections.html)\n6. COVID-19 and Cancer\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n\n[Managing Cancer Care](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer.html)\n\n- [Making Treatment Decisions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions.html)\n  - [Understanding Your Options for Cancer Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/making-decisions.html)\n  - [Informed Consent](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/informed-consent.html)\n  - [Seeking a Second Opinion](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/seeking-a-second-opinion.html)\n  - [Questions to Ask When You've Been Diagnosed with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/questions-to-ask-your-doctor.html)\n  - [Questions to Ask About Your Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/questions-to-ask-about-treatment.html)\n  - [How Treatment Is Planned and Scheduled](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/planning-scheduling-treatment.html)\n  - [When Treatment Should Start](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/when-treatment-should-start.html)\n  - [Cancer During Pregnancy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/cancer-during-pregnancy.html)\n  - [Pharmacogenomics in Cancer Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/pharmacogenomic-testing.html)\n  - [Advance Directives](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/advance-directives.html)\n    - [Types of Advance Directives](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/advance-directives\/types-of-advance-health-care-directives.html)\n    - [Frequently Asked Questions About Advance Directives](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/advance-directives\/faqs.html)\n  - [If Cancer Treatments Stop Working](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/if-cancer-treatments-stop-working.html)\n  - [Clinical Trials](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/clinical-trials.html)\n    - [Phases of Clinical Trials](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/clinical-trials\/phases-of-clinical-trials.html)\n    - [Finding a Clinical Trial](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/clinical-trials\/finding-a-clinical-trial.html)\n    - [Things to Consider Before Taking Part in a Clinical Trial](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/clinical-trials\/things-to-consider.html)\n    - [Being Part of a Clinical Trial](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/clinical-trials\/being-part-of-a-clinical-trial.html)\n    - [Compassionate Use](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/clinical-trials\/compassionate-drug-use.html)\n    - [Clinical Trial Videos](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/clinical-trials\/clinical-trials-videos.html)\n    - [ACS ACTS: Finding the Right Clinical Trial for You](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/clinical-trials\/acs-acts.html)\n  - [When Cancer Isn’t Your Only Health Problem](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions\/other-health-problems-besides-cancer.html)\n- [Treatment Types](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types.html)\n  - [Cancer Surgery](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/surgery.html)\n    - [Getting Ready for Cancer Surgery](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/surgery\/getting-ready-for-cancer-surgery.html)\n    - [Anesthesia for Cancer Surgery](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/surgery\/anesthesia-for-cancer-surgery.html)\n    - [Risks and Side Effects of Cancer Surgery](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/surgery\/risks-of-cancer-surgery.html)\n    - [Recovering from Cancer Surgery](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/surgery\/recovering-from-cancer-surgery.html)\n  - [Chemotherapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy.html)\n    - [What Goes into Planning Your Chemotherapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy\/planning-chemo-treatment.html)\n    - [Types of Chemotherapy Drugs](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy\/types-of-chemo-drugs.html)\n    - [Getting Chemo Infusions or Injections](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy\/getting-chemotherapy.html)\n    - [Getting Oral Chemotherapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy\/oral-chemotherapy.html)\n    - [Getting Topical Chemotherapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy\/topical-chemotherapy.html)\n    - [Chemotherapy Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy\/chemotherapy-side-effects.html)\n    - [Chemotherapy Safety](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy\/chemotherapy-safety.html)\n  - [Radiation Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/radiation.html)\n    - [What Goes into Planning Your Radiation Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/radiation\/basics.html)\n    - [Getting External Beam Radiation Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/radiation\/external-beam-radiation-therapy.html)\n    - [Getting Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/radiation\/internal-radiation-therapy-brachytherapy.html)\n    - [Getting Oral or Systemic Radiation Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/radiation\/systemic-radiation-therapy.html)\n    - [Getting Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/radiation\/intraoperative-radiation-therapy.html)\n    - [Getting Proton Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/radiation\/proton-therapy.html)\n    - [Radiation Therapy Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/radiation\/effects-on-different-parts-of-body.html)\n    - [Radiation Therapy Safety](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/radiation\/safety.html)\n  - [Targeted Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/targeted-therapy.html)\n    - [How Does Targeted Therapy Work?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/targeted-therapy\/how-does-targeted-therapy-work.html)\n    - [Targeted Therapy Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/targeted-therapy\/side-effects.html)\n  - [Immunotherapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy.html)\n    - [Monoclonal Antibodies](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy\/monoclonal-antibodies.html)\n    - [CAR T-cell Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy\/car-t-cell.html)\n    - [Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy\/tumor-infiltrating-lymphocyte-therapy-tils.html)\n    - [Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy\/immune-checkpoint-inhibitors.html)\n    - [Cancer Vaccines](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy\/cancer-vaccines.html)\n    - [Cytokines](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy\/cytokines.html)\n    - [Oncolytic Virus Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy\/oncolytic-virus-therapy.html)\n    - [Immunomodulators](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy\/immunomodulators.html)\n  - [Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/stem-cell-transplant.html)\n    - [What Are Stem Cells and Where Do They Come From?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/stem-cell-transplant\/what-are-stem-cells.html)\n    - [Types of Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/stem-cell-transplant\/types-of-transplants.html)\n    - [What Is It Like to Donate Stem Cells or Bone Marrow?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/stem-cell-transplant\/donors.html)\n    - [Getting a Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/stem-cell-transplant\/process.html)\n    - [Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/stem-cell-transplant\/transplant-side-effects.html)\n    - [Finding a Stem Cell Donor](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/stem-cell-transplant\/finding-a-donor.html)\n  - [Hormone Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/hormone-therapy.html)\n    - [Hormone Therapy Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/hormone-therapy\/side-effects.html)\n  - [Angiogenesis Inhibitors](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/angiogenesis-inhibitors.html)\n  - [Off-label Drug Use](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/off-label-drug-use.html)\n  - [Precision or Personalized Medicine](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/precision-medicine.html)\n  - [Biosimilar Medicines](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/biosimilar-drugs.html)\n  - [Tumor-agnostic Drugs](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/tumor-agnostic-drugs.html)\n  - [Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) \/Electrical Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/tumor-treating-fields.html)\n  - [Hyperthermia](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/hyperthermia.html)\n  - [Laser Therapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/lasers-in-cancer-treatment.html)\n  - [Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/photodynamic-therapy.html)\n- [Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects.html)\n  - [Blood-related Problems](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/low-blood-counts.html)\n    - [Anemia (Low Red Blood Cell Count)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/low-blood-counts\/anemia.html)\n    - [Bruising and Bleeding](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/low-blood-counts\/bruising-and-bleeding.html)\n    - [Blood Clots](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/low-blood-counts\/blood-clots.html)\n    - [Hematemesis (Vomiting Blood)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/low-blood-counts\/hematemesis.html)\n    - [Neutropenia (Low White Blood Cell Counts)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/low-blood-counts\/neutropenia.html)\n    - [Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/low-blood-counts\/bleeding.html)\n  - [Bowel and Bladder Problems](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/stool-or-urine-changes.html)\n    - [Constipation](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/stool-or-urine-changes\/constipation.html)\n    - [Diarrhea](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/stool-or-urine-changes\/diarrhea.html)\n    - [Bowel Incontinence](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/stool-or-urine-changes\/bowel-incontinence.html)\n    - [Bladder Incontinence (Leakage)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/stool-or-urine-changes\/bladder-incontinence.html)\n    - [Urine Retention](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/stool-or-urine-changes\/urine-retention.html)\n  - [Cognitive Problems or Changes in Thinking](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/changes-in-mood-or-thinking.html)\n    - [Confusion and Delirium](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/changes-in-mood-or-thinking\/confusion.html)\n    - [Changes in Memory, Thinking, and Focus (Chemo Brain)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/changes-in-mood-or-thinking\/chemo-brain.html)\n  - [Drinking and Eating Changes](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems.html)\n    - [Nausea and Vomiting](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems\/nausea-and-vomiting.html)\n    - [Dehydration and Lack of Fluids](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems\/fluids-and-dehydration.html)\n    - [Mouth Dryness or Thick Saliva](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems\/dry-mouth.html)\n    - [Loss of Appetite (Anorexia) and Cachexia](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems\/poor-appetite.html)\n    - [Weight Changes](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems\/weight-changes.html)\n    - [Taste and Smell Changes](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems\/taste-smell-changes.html)\n    - [Mouth Soreness and Pain](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems\/mouth-sores.html)\n    - [Hiccups and Heartburn](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems\/hiccups-and-heartburn.html)\n    - [Swallowing Problems](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/eating-problems\/swallowing-problems.html)\n  - [Fertility](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fertility.html)\n    - [Preserving Fertility in Children and Teens with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fertility\/preserving-fertility-in-children-and-teens-with-cancer.html)\n    - [Fertility Assistance and Other Options for Becoming a Parent After Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fertility\/fertility-assistance-after-cancer.html)\n    - [How Cancer and Cancer Treatment Can Affect Fertility in Men](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fertility\/how-cancer-treatments-affect-fertility-men.html)\n    - [Preserving Your Fertility When You Have Cancer (Men)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fertility\/preserving-fertility-in-men.html)\n    - [How Cancer and Cancer Treatment Can Affect Fertility in Women](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fertility\/how-cancer-treatments-affect-fertility-women.html)\n    - [Preserving Your Fertility When You Have Cancer (Women)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fertility\/preserving-fertility-in-women.html)\n    - [Having a Baby After Cancer: Pregnancy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fertility\/pregnancy-after-cancer.html)\n  - [Fatigue, Weakness, and Sleep Problems](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fatigue-weakness-sleep.html)\n    - [Sleep Problems](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fatigue-weakness-sleep\/sleep-problems.html)\n    - [Fatigue](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fatigue-weakness-sleep\/fatigue.html)\n    - [Balance Problems, Weakness, and Falls](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/fatigue-weakness-sleep\/weakness-balance-falls.html)\n  - [Hair, Skin, and Nail Problems](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hair-skin-nails.html)\n    - [Hair Loss](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/hair-loss.html)\n    - [Cellulitis](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/cellulitis.html)\n    - [Hot Flashes and Sweating](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/hot-flashes-and-sweating.html)\n    - [Nail Changes](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/nail-changes.html)\n    - [Pressure Sores](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/pressure-sores.html)\n    - [Rashes and Skin Changes](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/rashes-skin-changes.html)\n    - [Wounds and Scars](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/scars-and-wounds.html)\n    - [Hand-Foot Syndrome](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hair-skin-nails\/hand-foot-syndrome.html)\n  - [Hypercalcemia (High Calcium Levels)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/hypercalcemia.html)\n  - [Infections in People with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections.html)\n    - [Why Are People with Cancer More Likely to Get Infections?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/why-people-with-cancer-are-at-risk.html)\n    - [Managing Infections and Sepsis in People with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/managing-infections-and-sepsis.html)\n    - [Preventing Infections in People with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/preventing-infections-in-people-with-cancer.html)\n    - [Fevers](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/fever.html)\n    - [Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html)\n    - [COVID-19 and Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html)\n  - [Infusion or Immune Reactions](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infusion-immune-reactions.html)\n  - [Mental Health and Distress](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/emotional-mood-changes.html)\n    - [Anxiety](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/emotional-mood-changes\/anxiety.html)\n    - [Distress](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/emotional-mood-changes\/distress.html)\n    - [Depression](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/emotional-mood-changes\/depression.html)\n    - [Social Isolation and Loneliness](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/emotional-mood-changes\/social-isolation-loneliness.html)\n  - [Osteoporosis](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/osteoporosis.html)\n  - [Pain](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/pain.html)\n    - [Cancer Pain](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/pain\/cancer-pain.html)\n    - [Leg Cramps](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/pain\/leg-cramps.html)\n    - [Peripheral Neuropathy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/pain\/peripheral-neuropathy.html)\n    - [Post-mastectomy Pain Syndrome](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/pain\/post-mastectomy-pain-syndrome.html)\n    - [Headaches from Chemo and Other Cancer Treatments](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/pain\/headaches.html)\n  - [Seizures](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/seizures.html)\n  - [Sexual Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects.html)\n    - [How Cancer Can Affect Sex and Intimacy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects\/how-cancer-affects-sexuality.html)\n    - [Dating and Relationships During and After Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects\/dating-after-cancer.html)\n    - [How Cancer Can Affect Erections](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects\/erections-and-treatment.html)\n    - [How Cancer Can Affect Ejaculation and Orgasm](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects\/ejaculation-and-treatment.html)\n    - [How Cancer Can Affect Sexual Desire in Men](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects\/treatment-and-desire-and-response.html)\n    - [How Cancer Surgery Can Affect Sex for Women](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects\/pelvic-surgery.html)\n    - [How Radiation Therapy Can Affect Sex for Women](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects\/pelvic-radiation.html)\n    - [How Hormone Therapy, Chemo, and Immunotherapy Can Affect Sex for Women](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects\/chemo.html)\n    - [Managing Sexual Side Effects as a Woman with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/sexual-side-effects\/women-managing.html)\n  - [Shortness of Breath](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/shortness-of-breath.html)\n  - [Swelling](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/swelling.html)\n    - [Lymphedema](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/swelling\/lymphedema.html)\n    - [Edema (Swelling)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/swelling\/edema.html)\n    - [Ascites](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/swelling\/ascites.html)\n- [Understanding Information About New Cancer Treatments](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/how-to-interpret-news-about-new-cancer-treatments.html)\n\n[Download Section as PDF](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/CRC\/PDF\/Public\/8896.00.pdf)\n\n# COVID-19 and Cancer\nPeople with cancer may face higher risks from contagious (spreadable) illnesses, including COVID-19. That’s because cancer and its treatments can weaken their immune system. This makes it harder to fight off infections. The virus can also have more serious side effects in people with certain types of cancer.\n\nLearn about COVID-19, how the virus can affect people with cancer, how to protect yourself and loved ones, and what to know about vaccines and staying safe.\n\nOn this page\n\n[\\[show\\]]() [\\[hide\\]]()\n\n- [What is COVID-19?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html#what-is-covid-19?)\n- [Symptoms of COVID-19](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html#symptoms-of-covid-19)\n- [COVID-19 in people with cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html#covid-19-in-people-with-cancer)\n- [How can I lower my risk of getting COVID-19?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html#how-can-i-lower-my-risk-of-getting-covid-19?)\n- [How is COVID-19 treated?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html#how-is-covid-19-treated?)\n- [Questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html#questions-to-ask-your-health-care-team-about-covid-19)\n- [Where can I learn more about COVID-19?](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections\/covid-19.html#where-can-i-learn-more-about-covid-19?)\n\n## What is COVID-19?\n**COVID-19** (coronavirus disease 2019) is the name of the illness caused by a type of virus called a **coronavirus**. Several types of coronaviruses can infect humans. Some can cause more serious illnesses than others. The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is **SARS-CoV-2**.\n\nBoth adults and children can get COVID-19, even more than once. It's important to know that *anyone* with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they don’t have any symptoms.\n\nInfection with any virus, including the COVID-19 virus, causes the body’s immune system to respond and try to get rid of the infection. Your immune system normally also helps to protect you from severe illness and from getting infected again with the same virus.\n\n**Some cancers and their treatments can weaken your immune system, making it easier for infections to get in and harder for the body to fight them off.**\n\n### COVID-19 variants\nOver time, viruses such as COVID-19 can change or **mutate**, resulting in **new variants of the virus**. These variants or strains might act slightly differently than the original virus. For example, they might spread more easily or be more resistant to known treatments or vaccines. They may have slightly different symptoms, too.\n\n## Symptoms of COVID-19\nPeople with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Some people might have no symptoms at all.\n\n### Acute COVID-19 infection\nAn **acute infection** happens within a short amount of time after a person is exposed to COVID-19. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.\n\nThe **most common symptoms** of COVID-19 are:\n\n- Fever or chills\n- Cough\n- Shortness of breath\n- Muscle aches and pains\n- Sore throat\n- Loss of smell or taste\n- Stuffy or runny nose\n- Feeling very tired\n- Headache\n- Diarrhea\n- Nausea or vomiting\n\n**If you have cancer and have any of the above symptoms that get worse or don’t go away, contact your cancer care team. If you are being treated for your cancer, ask your care team if you need to delay any treatments based on your symptoms.**\n\nCOVID-19 can also sometimes cause **serious signs and symptoms** that need medical attention right away:\n\n- Trouble breathing\n- Constant pain or heaviness in the chest\n- Confusion or being hard to wake up\n- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails, depending on skin tone\n\n**Whether you have cancer or not, if you have any of these serious symptoms, get medical attention right away.**\n\nPeople who have certain medical conditions, including cancer, are at a higher risk for severe COVID symptoms. A few risk factors for having more serious signs and symptoms include:\n\n- Being older\n- Having a weakened immune system\n- Having excess body weight (overweight or obesity)\n- [Smoking](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/tobacco.html), now or in the past\n- Having certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or lung cancer\n### Long COVID\nSome people who’ve been infected with COVID-19 might have long-term effects. These might be called **post-COVID conditions, long COVID, chronic COVID,** or **long-haul COVID.** People who have been reinfected with COVID have a higher risk of developing long COVID.\n\nA person with long COVID can continue to have some of their initial symptoms last longer than usual. Some symptoms may get better or go away completely while others remain a problem for longer periods of time. These symptoms might last weeks, months, or even longer.\n\nSome common symptoms of long COVID include:\n\n- Extreme tiredness that affects your daily life\n- Symptoms that worsen after mental or physical effort\n- Trouble thinking or concentrating\n- Shortness of breath\n- Diarrhea\n\nPeople who are vaccinated against COVID-19 might be less likely to get long COVID than people who aren’t vaccinated, but anyone can develop long COVID.\n\n**If you have cancer and have long COVID, be sure to keep your cancer care team updated on your symptoms. Many cancer treatments can have some of the same side effects as the symptoms of long COVID.**\n\nFor the latest on COVID-19 symptoms, variants, and long COVID, visit the [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website](https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/covid\/index.html).\n\n## COVID-19 in people with cancer\nSome people with cancer are at higher risk of serious illness if they get almost any viral infection, including COVID-19. People who were treated for cancer in the past (especially if it was years ago) are less likely to be at higher risk. But the situation for each person is different.\n\nThe impact of COVID-19 on people living with cancer is still being studied. So far, research shows:\n\n- Cancer itself and its treatments can increase a person’s risk of getting COVID-19.\n- Some people with cancer have higher risks of having severe symptoms of COVID‑19.\n- Some people with cancer have a higher risk of needing to be admitted to the hospital, needing to be in the intensive care unit (ICU), and needing mechanical ventilation (being on a ventilator) to help treat COVID-19 and its symptoms.\n### Which people with cancer are at higher risk from COVID?\nIt’s very important that people with cancer take steps to lower their risk of infection (see below). This is especially true for:\n\n- People with [blood cancers](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/blood-cancer.html) (such as leukemia or lymphoma)\n- People getting [chemotherapy (chemo)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy.html), long courses of corticosteroids (steroids), certain types of [immunotherapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy.html), or a [stem cell or bone marrow transplant](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/stem-cell-transplant.html)\n- People living with lung cancer, because the COVID-19 virus often targets the [respiratory system](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/anatomy-gallery\/respiratory-system.html)\n- People who need frequent medical appointments, which can increase their risk of being exposed to COVID-19\n\n**If you have questions about COVID-19, remember each person’s situation is different. It's important that people who’ve had cancer talk with a doctor** **who understands their situation and medical history.**\n\n## How can I lower my risk of getting COVID-19?\nThere are several things you can do to help lower your risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus.\n\n### Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines\nVaccines are one of the most important ways to help protect against COVID-19.\n\nSeveral vaccines are available to help protect against COVID-19. Because the COVID-19 virus changes over time, updated versions of the vaccines come out each year, to help protect against the most recent strains of the virus.\n\n#### Talk with your cancer care team about the vaccine\nMost cancer doctors advise COVID-19 vaccines for people with cancer. But if you’re being treated for cancer, there might be times when it makes sense to postpone getting the vaccine for a while, such as if the treatment will severely weaken your immune system. Some cancer treatments might even wipe out your immune system for a while, which might mean you need to get revaccinated later on.\n\n**If you’re being treated for cancer, talk to your doctor about your immune status and whether it could affect the best time for you to get the vaccine, as well as what else you can do to help lower your risk of COVID-19 infection.**\n\nFor more on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the [CDC website](https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/covid\/vaccines\/).\n\n### Talk to your doctor about other medicines to lower your risk\nFor people who are less likely to get enough protection from COVID-19 vaccines, **pemivibart (Pemgarda)** can help lower the risk of infection. This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein (IV), typically once every 3 months.\n\nIt’s important to note that **in people who can get COVID-19 vaccines, this treatment should be used *in addition to, not instead of* getting the vaccine**. Talk to your doctor for more information and to find out whether pemivibart is an option for you.\n\n### Lower your risk in other ways\nBeing vaccinated and taking preventive medicines can help lower your risk, but those actions don’t protect you completely. Even if you’re up to date with vaccines or have had COVID-19 in the past, you can still be infected or reinfected.\n\nOther things you can do to help lower your risk of getting COVID-19, as well as other respiratory infections like the flu, might include:\n\n- Avoiding crowded indoor spaces\n- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick\n- Wearing a mask when out in public\n\n**If you have (or have had) cancer, or if you’re taking care of someone with cancer, talk to the cancer care team about which precautions are right for you.** Their recommendations will depend on whether you have a weakened immune system or other risk factors for severe COVID-19.\n\nLearn more ways to protect yourself and others in [Infections in People with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections.html).\n\n## How is COVID-19 treated?\nNot everyone who gets COVID-19 needs to be treated. But treating COVID-19 can be very helpful for some people, especially those who are more likely to get very sick from it. Several different drugs (or combinations of drugs) might be used, depending on how sick a person is, how old they are, and other factors. If needed, these treatments can be used in most people, including people with cancer.\n\nDepending on the drug used, these treatments typically work by:\n\n- Targeting the virus that causes COVID-19.\n- Reducing inflammation in the body. Inflammation can lead to some of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19.\n\nResearchers are also studying many other drugs that might help treat COVID-19 or its symptoms.\n\n## Questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19\nIf you have cancer or have had cancer in the past, here are some questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19:\n\n- Am I at higher risk of serious illness if I get COVID-19? Why or why not?\n- Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? If so, should I get it now, or should I wait?\n- Could my cancer or its treatment affect how well the vaccine works for me?\n- Should I take any other steps to lower my risk of getting COVID, even if I’ve had the vaccine? If so, what would these be?\n- What about the people taking care of me? Should they get the COVID vaccine and\/or take other steps to lower their risk?\n- What should I do if I have symptoms that might be from COVID-19?\n- If I get sick from COVID-19, will it affect my treatment or the outlook (prognosis) of my cancer?\n\nRemember, each person’s cancer, treatment, and situation can be different, so the answers might not be the same for everyone.\n\n## Where can I learn more about COVID-19?\nFor other sources of information on COVID-19, including more detailed answers to some common questions, visit the following websites:\n\n- [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-nCoV\/index.html)\n- [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/emergency-preparedness-and-response\/public-health-preparedness-and-response\/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19)\n- [National Cancer Institute (NCI)](https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/about-cancer\/coronavirus\/coronavirus-cancer-patient-information)\n- [World Health Organization (WHO)](https:\/\/www.who.int\/emergencies\/diseases\/novel-coronavirus-2019)\n\n1. Written by\n2. References\n\n![American Cancer Society logo](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/adobe\/dynamicmedia\/deliver\/dm-aid--75a6196f-1475-44ba-8184-897627e3cd52\/logo-fpo.png?preferwebp=true&quality=82)\n\n[The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/acs-medical-content-and-news-staff.html)\n\nOur team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.\n\nAmerican Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Coronavirus and COVID-19: What people with cancer need to know. Accessed at cancer.net. Content is no longer available.\n\nAurer I, Moss P, Goldman M, et al. COVID-19 burden of illness in people who are immunocompromised due to cancer: An expert opinion review. *Oncologist.* 2025; 30(6): doi:10.1093\/oncolo\/oyaf074.\n\nCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COVID-19. 2025. Accessed at https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/covid\/index.html on July 9, 2025.\n\nGazeau ST, Deng X, Brunet-Ratnasingham E, et al. Using virtual patient cohorts to uncover immune response differences in cancer and immunosuppressed COVID-19 patients. PLoS Comput Biol. 2025 Jun 9;21(6):e1013170. doi: 10.1371\/journal.pcbi.1013170. PMID: 40489562; PMCID: PMC12180667.\n\nNational Cancer Institute (NCI). 2025. COVID-19 and cancer. 2024. Accessed at https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/about-cancer\/coronavirus on July 9, 2025.\n\nUzzo RD, Kutikov A, Geynisman DM. COVID-19: Considerations in patients with cancer. UpToDate. 2025. Accessed at https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/covid-19-considerations-in-patients-with-cancer on July 9, 2025.\n\nLast Revised: September 24, 2025\n\nAmerican Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our [Content Usage Policy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/policies\/content-usage.html).\n\n#### American Cancer Society Emails\nSign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.\n\n[Sign Up for Email](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/email-sign-up.html)\n\n## More Resources\n[Worksheet: Track Your Chemotherapy Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/cancer-control\/en\/worksheets\/chemotherapy-side-effects-worksheet.pdf \"Worksheet: Track Your Chemotherapy Side Effects\")\n\n[Worksheet: Track Your Radiation Therapy Side Effects](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/cancer-control\/en\/worksheets\/radiation-therapy-side-effects-worksheet.pdf \"Worksheet: Track Your Radiation Therapy Side Effects\")\n\n[Cancer Care Toolkit Organize your cancer journey with the American Cancer Society Cancer Care Toolkit.](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/preparing-for-treatment\/cancer-care-toolkit.html \"Cancer Care Toolkit\")\n\n[Caregiver Resource Guide A helpful tool for people who are caring for someone with cancer. View the complete guide here.](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/caregivers\/caregiver-resource-guide.html \"Caregiver Resource Guide\")\n\nHelp us end cancer as we know it, for everyone.\n\n[Donate with Confidence](https:\/\/donate.cancer.org\/?campaign=confidence)\n\n[![ Charity Navigator 4-star rating button](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/images\/logos\/four-star-rating-badge.png)](https:\/\/www.charitynavigator.org\/ein\/131788491) [![ BBB rating button](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/images\/logos\/2023-accredited-seal-blue.png)](https:\/\/give.org\/charity-reviews\/national\/Health\/American-Cancer-Society-in-Kennesaw-ga-186) [![ Candid rating button](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/content\/dam\/cancer-org\/images\/logos\/badges\/candid-seal-platinum-2025.png)](https:\/\/www.guidestar.org\/profile\/shared\/d1390a0f-f0b9-4bc7-a2aa-a452e5e4052b)\n\nCancer information, answers, and hope. Available every minute of every day.\n\nFollow Us\n\nCall Us\n\n[800\\.227.2345](tel:800.227.2345)\n\n[Sign Up for Email](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/email-sign-up.html)\n\n[Sign Up for Text Messages](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/sms.html)\n\n- Cancer Information\n  \n  - [Cancer Prevention & Detection](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention.html \"Cancer Prevention & Detection\")\n  - [Understanding Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer.html \"Understanding Cancer\")\n  - [Signs & Symptoms of Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/diagnosis-staging\/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html \"Signs & Symptoms of Cancer\")\n  - [Cancer Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/making-treatment-decisions.html \"Cancer Treatment\")\n  - [ACS Research Highlights](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/acs-research-highlights.html \"ACS Research Highlights\")\n  - [Cancer Facts & Statistics](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research\/cancer-facts-statistics.html \"Cancer Facts & Statistics\")\n  - [Cancer Connection Stories](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/latest-news.html \"Cancer Connection Stories\")\n  - [Glossary](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/glossary.html \"Glossary\")\n  - [For Health Care Professionals](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/health-care-professionals.html \"For Health Care Professionals\")\n- ACS Fundraisers\n  \n  - [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks](https:\/\/secure.acsevents.org\/site\/SPageServer?pagename=strides_msabc \"Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks\")\n  - [Relay For Life Events](https:\/\/secure.acsevents.org\/site\/SPageServer?pagename=relay \"Relay For Life Events\")\n  - [American Cancer Society on Campus](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/american-cancer-society-on-campus.html \"American Cancer Society on Campus\")\n  - [Coaches vs. Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/our-partners\/sports-alliances\/coaches-vs-cancer.html \"Coaches vs. Cancer\")\n  - [Galas, Balls & Parties](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/fundraise\/galas.html \"Galas, Balls & Parties\")\n  - [Ways to Give](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate.html \"Ways to Give\")\n  - [Memorial Giving](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/memorial-giving.html \"Memorial Giving\")\n  - [Planned Giving](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/planned-giving.html \"Planned Giving\")\n  - [Philanthropy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/philanthropy.html \"Philanthropy\")\n  - [Donate a Car](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/cars-for-a-cure.html \"Donate a Car\")\n  - [Donate by Mail or Phone](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html \"Donate by Mail or Phone\")\n- About ACS\n  \n  - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/online-help\/contact-us.html \"Contact Us\")\n  - [ACS in Your Community](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/local.html \"ACS in Your Community\")\n  - [Employment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/employment-opportunities.html \"Employment\")\n  - [Information for Suppliers](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/become-a-supplier.html \"Information for Suppliers\")\n  - [Report Fraud or Abuse](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/financial-governance-information\/report-fraud-or-abuse.html \"Report Fraud or Abuse\")\n  - [Sign Up for Email](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/email-sign-up.html \"Sign Up for Email\")\n  - [Sign Up for Text Messages](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/sms.html \"Sign Up for Text Messages\")\n  - [Our Research](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/research.html \"Our Research\")\n  - [American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network](https:\/\/www.fightcancer.org\/ \"American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network\")\n  - [Global Health](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/what-we-do\/global-cancer-support.html \"Global Health\")\n  - [Policies](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/policies.html \"Policies\")\n  - [Our Volunteers](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/involved\/volunteer.html \"Our Volunteers\")\n  - [Mail a Check](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/donate\/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html \"Mail a Check\")\n- About ACS Programs & Services\n  \n  - [Lodging During Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/patient-lodging\/hope-lodge.html \"Lodging During Treatment\")\n  - [Rides To Treatment](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/road-to-recovery.html \"Rides To Treatment\")\n  - [Breast Cancer Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/acs-cares.html \"Breast Cancer Support\")\n  - [Hair Loss and Post-surgical Products](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/everyou.html \"Hair Loss and Post-surgical Products\")\n  - [Connecting Cancer Survivors](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/online-communities.html \"Connecting Cancer Survivors\")\n  - [Patient and Caregiver Support](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/support-programs-and-services\/acs-cares.html \"Patient and Caregiver Support\")\n- More ACS Sites\n  \n  - [Bookstore](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/american-cancer-society-books.html \"Bookstore\")\n  - [Cancer Atlas](https:\/\/canceratlas.cancer.org\/ \"Cancer Atlas\")\n  - [Cancer Statistics Center](https:\/\/cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org\/#!\/ \"Cancer Statistics Center\")\n  - [ACS News Room](https:\/\/pressroom.cancer.org\/ \"ACS News Room\")\n  - [American Cancer Society Roundtables](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/our-partners\/nonprofit-partners\/american-cancer-society-roundtables.html \"American Cancer Society Roundtables\")\n  - [Volunteer Community](https:\/\/volunteercommunity.cancer.org\/s\/?language=en_US \"Volunteer Community\")\n\n- [FAQs](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/online-help.html)\n- [Site Map](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/sitemap.html)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/policies\/privacy-statement.html)\n- [Privacy Rights](https:\/\/privacyportal.onetrust.com\/webform\/3c8afaca-709c-4d53-a881-7a90a3f0de69\/9ee0546c-3514-4b59-bf1d-a996e9027671)\n- [Health Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/policies\/health-privacy-policy.html)\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/policies\/accessibility-policy.html)\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/policies\/user-agreement.html)\n- [State Fundraising Notices](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/about-us\/policies\/state-fundraising-notices.html)\n\n© 2026 American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Tax ID Number: 13-1788491.\n\n**Donate by Mail:** American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704. Hagerstown, MD 21741\n\nCancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family.\n\n![Open chat](https:\/\/assets-chat-dqcfe8adhpcrfnbc.a03.azurefd.net\/assets\/comment-dots.svg)","attrs_readable_markdown":"People with cancer may face higher risks from contagious (spreadable) illnesses, including COVID-19. That’s because cancer and its treatments can weaken their immune system. This makes it harder to fight off infections. The virus can also have more serious side effects in people with certain types of cancer.\n\nLearn about COVID-19, how the virus can affect people with cancer, how to protect yourself and loved ones, and what to know about vaccines and staying safe.\n\n## What is COVID-19?\n**COVID-19** (coronavirus disease 2019) is the name of the illness caused by a type of virus called a **coronavirus**. Several types of coronaviruses can infect humans. Some can cause more serious illnesses than others. The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is **SARS-CoV-2**.\n\nBoth adults and children can get COVID-19, even more than once. It's important to know that *anyone* with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they don’t have any symptoms.\n\nInfection with any virus, including the COVID-19 virus, causes the body’s immune system to respond and try to get rid of the infection. Your immune system normally also helps to protect you from severe illness and from getting infected again with the same virus.\n\n**Some cancers and their treatments can weaken your immune system, making it easier for infections to get in and harder for the body to fight them off.**\n\n### COVID-19 variants\nOver time, viruses such as COVID-19 can change or **mutate**, resulting in **new variants of the virus**. These variants or strains might act slightly differently than the original virus. For example, they might spread more easily or be more resistant to known treatments or vaccines. They may have slightly different symptoms, too.\n\n## Symptoms of COVID-19\nPeople with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Some people might have no symptoms at all.\n\n### Acute COVID-19 infection\nAn **acute infection** happens within a short amount of time after a person is exposed to COVID-19. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.\n\nThe **most common symptoms** of COVID-19 are:\n\n- Fever or chills\n- Cough\n- Shortness of breath\n- Muscle aches and pains\n- Sore throat\n- Loss of smell or taste\n- Stuffy or runny nose\n- Feeling very tired\n- Headache\n- Diarrhea\n- Nausea or vomiting\n\n**If you have cancer and have any of the above symptoms that get worse or don’t go away, contact your cancer care team. If you are being treated for your cancer, ask your care team if you need to delay any treatments based on your symptoms.**\n\nCOVID-19 can also sometimes cause **serious signs and symptoms** that need medical attention right away:\n\n- Trouble breathing\n- Constant pain or heaviness in the chest\n- Confusion or being hard to wake up\n- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails, depending on skin tone\n\n**Whether you have cancer or not, if you have any of these serious symptoms, get medical attention right away.**\n\nPeople who have certain medical conditions, including cancer, are at a higher risk for severe COVID symptoms. A few risk factors for having more serious signs and symptoms include:\n\n- Being older\n- Having a weakened immune system\n- Having excess body weight (overweight or obesity)\n- [Smoking](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/risk-prevention\/tobacco.html), now or in the past\n- Having certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or lung cancer\n### Long COVID\nSome people who’ve been infected with COVID-19 might have long-term effects. These might be called **post-COVID conditions, long COVID, chronic COVID,** or **long-haul COVID.** People who have been reinfected with COVID have a higher risk of developing long COVID.\n\nA person with long COVID can continue to have some of their initial symptoms last longer than usual. Some symptoms may get better or go away completely while others remain a problem for longer periods of time. These symptoms might last weeks, months, or even longer.\n\nSome common symptoms of long COVID include:\n\n- Extreme tiredness that affects your daily life\n- Symptoms that worsen after mental or physical effort\n- Trouble thinking or concentrating\n- Shortness of breath\n- Diarrhea\n\nPeople who are vaccinated against COVID-19 might be less likely to get long COVID than people who aren’t vaccinated, but anyone can develop long COVID.\n\n**If you have cancer and have long COVID, be sure to keep your cancer care team updated on your symptoms. Many cancer treatments can have some of the same side effects as the symptoms of long COVID.**\n\nFor the latest on COVID-19 symptoms, variants, and long COVID, visit the [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website](https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/covid\/index.html).\n\n## COVID-19 in people with cancer\nSome people with cancer are at higher risk of serious illness if they get almost any viral infection, including COVID-19. People who were treated for cancer in the past (especially if it was years ago) are less likely to be at higher risk. But the situation for each person is different.\n\nThe impact of COVID-19 on people living with cancer is still being studied. So far, research shows:\n\n- Cancer itself and its treatments can increase a person’s risk of getting COVID-19.\n- Some people with cancer have higher risks of having severe symptoms of COVID‑19.\n- Some people with cancer have a higher risk of needing to be admitted to the hospital, needing to be in the intensive care unit (ICU), and needing mechanical ventilation (being on a ventilator) to help treat COVID-19 and its symptoms.\n### Which people with cancer are at higher risk from COVID?\nIt’s very important that people with cancer take steps to lower their risk of infection (see below). This is especially true for:\n\n- People with [blood cancers](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/blood-cancer.html) (such as leukemia or lymphoma)\n- People getting [chemotherapy (chemo)](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/chemotherapy.html), long courses of corticosteroids (steroids), certain types of [immunotherapy](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/immunotherapy.html), or a [stem cell or bone marrow transplant](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/treatment-types\/stem-cell-transplant.html)\n- People living with lung cancer, because the COVID-19 virus often targets the [respiratory system](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/understanding-cancer\/anatomy-gallery\/respiratory-system.html)\n- People who need frequent medical appointments, which can increase their risk of being exposed to COVID-19\n\n**If you have questions about COVID-19, remember each person’s situation is different. It's important that people who’ve had cancer talk with a doctor** **who understands their situation and medical history.**\n\n## How can I lower my risk of getting COVID-19?\nThere are several things you can do to help lower your risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus.\n\n### Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines\nVaccines are one of the most important ways to help protect against COVID-19.\n\nSeveral vaccines are available to help protect against COVID-19. Because the COVID-19 virus changes over time, updated versions of the vaccines come out each year, to help protect against the most recent strains of the virus.\n\n#### Talk with your cancer care team about the vaccine\nMost cancer doctors advise COVID-19 vaccines for people with cancer. But if you’re being treated for cancer, there might be times when it makes sense to postpone getting the vaccine for a while, such as if the treatment will severely weaken your immune system. Some cancer treatments might even wipe out your immune system for a while, which might mean you need to get revaccinated later on.\n\n**If you’re being treated for cancer, talk to your doctor about your immune status and whether it could affect the best time for you to get the vaccine, as well as what else you can do to help lower your risk of COVID-19 infection.**\n\nFor more on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the [CDC website](https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/covid\/vaccines\/).\n\n### Talk to your doctor about other medicines to lower your risk\nFor people who are less likely to get enough protection from COVID-19 vaccines, **pemivibart (Pemgarda)** can help lower the risk of infection. This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein (IV), typically once every 3 months.\n\nIt’s important to note that **in people who can get COVID-19 vaccines, this treatment should be used *in addition to, not instead of* getting the vaccine**. Talk to your doctor for more information and to find out whether pemivibart is an option for you.\n\n### Lower your risk in other ways\nBeing vaccinated and taking preventive medicines can help lower your risk, but those actions don’t protect you completely. Even if you’re up to date with vaccines or have had COVID-19 in the past, you can still be infected or reinfected.\n\nOther things you can do to help lower your risk of getting COVID-19, as well as other respiratory infections like the flu, might include:\n\n- Avoiding crowded indoor spaces\n- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick\n- Wearing a mask when out in public\n\n**If you have (or have had) cancer, or if you’re taking care of someone with cancer, talk to the cancer care team about which precautions are right for you.** Their recommendations will depend on whether you have a weakened immune system or other risk factors for severe COVID-19.\n\nLearn more ways to protect yourself and others in [Infections in People with Cancer](https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/managing-cancer\/side-effects\/infections.html).\n\n## How is COVID-19 treated?\nNot everyone who gets COVID-19 needs to be treated. But treating COVID-19 can be very helpful for some people, especially those who are more likely to get very sick from it. Several different drugs (or combinations of drugs) might be used, depending on how sick a person is, how old they are, and other factors. If needed, these treatments can be used in most people, including people with cancer.\n\nDepending on the drug used, these treatments typically work by:\n\n- Targeting the virus that causes COVID-19.\n- Reducing inflammation in the body. Inflammation can lead to some of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19.\n\nResearchers are also studying many other drugs that might help treat COVID-19 or its symptoms.\n\n## Questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19\nIf you have cancer or have had cancer in the past, here are some questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19:\n\n- Am I at higher risk of serious illness if I get COVID-19? Why or why not?\n- Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? If so, should I get it now, or should I wait?\n- Could my cancer or its treatment affect how well the vaccine works for me?\n- Should I take any other steps to lower my risk of getting COVID, even if I’ve had the vaccine? If so, what would these be?\n- What about the people taking care of me? Should they get the COVID vaccine and\/or take other steps to lower their risk?\n- What should I do if I have symptoms that might be from COVID-19?\n- If I get sick from COVID-19, will it affect my treatment or the outlook (prognosis) of my cancer?\n\nRemember, each person’s cancer, treatment, and situation can be different, so the answers might not be the same for everyone.\n\n## Where can I learn more about COVID-19?\nFor other sources of information on COVID-19, including more detailed answers to some common questions, visit the following websites:\n\n- [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-nCoV\/index.html)\n- [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)](https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/emergency-preparedness-and-response\/public-health-preparedness-and-response\/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19)\n- [National Cancer Institute (NCI)](https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/about-cancer\/coronavirus\/coronavirus-cancer-patient-information)\n- [World Health Organization (WHO)](https:\/\/www.who.int\/emergencies\/diseases\/novel-coronavirus-2019)","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

1 day ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.1 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html
Last Crawled	2026-04-19 09:20:45 (1 day ago)
First Indexed	2025-07-23 19:34:37 (9 months ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	COVID-19 and Cancer \| American Cancer Society
Meta Description	Learn about COVID-19, how the virus can affect people with cancer, how to protect yourself and loved ones, and what to know about vaccines and staying safe.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	People with cancer may face higher risks from contagious (spreadable) illnesses, including COVID-19. That’s because cancer and its treatments can weaken their immune system. This makes it harder to fight off infections. The virus can also have more serious side effects in people with certain types of cancer. Learn about COVID-19, how the virus can affect people with cancer, how to protect yourself and loved ones, and what to know about vaccines and staying safe. What is COVID-19? COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is the name of the illness caused by a type of virus called a coronavirus . Several types of coronaviruses can infect humans. Some can cause more serious illnesses than others. The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2 . Both adults and children can get COVID-19, even more than once. It's important to know that anyone with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they don’t have any symptoms. Infection with any virus, including the COVID-19 virus, causes the body’s immune system to respond and try to get rid of the infection. Your immune system normally also helps to protect you from severe illness and from getting infected again with the same virus. Some cancers and their treatments can weaken your immune system, making it easier for infections to get in and harder for the body to fight them off. COVID-19 variants Over time, viruses such as COVID-19 can change or mutate , resulting in new variants of the virus . These variants or strains might act slightly differently than the original virus. For example, they might spread more easily or be more resistant to known treatments or vaccines. They may have slightly different symptoms, too. Symptoms of COVID-19 People with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Some people might have no symptoms at all. Acute COVID-19 infection An acute infection happens within a short amount of time after a person is exposed to COVID-19. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath Muscle aches and pains Sore throat Loss of smell or taste Stuffy or runny nose Feeling very tired Headache Diarrhea Nausea or vomiting If you have cancer and have any of the above symptoms that get worse or don’t go away, contact your cancer care team. If you are being treated for your cancer, ask your care team if you need to delay any treatments based on your symptoms. COVID-19 can also sometimes cause serious signs and symptoms that need medical attention right away: Trouble breathing Constant pain or heaviness in the chest Confusion or being hard to wake up Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails, depending on skin tone Whether you have cancer or not, if you have any of these serious symptoms, get medical attention right away. People who have certain medical conditions, including cancer, are at a higher risk for severe COVID symptoms. A few risk factors for having more serious signs and symptoms include: Being older Having a weakened immune system Having excess body weight (overweight or obesity) Smoking , now or in the past Having certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or lung cancer Long COVID Some people who’ve been infected with COVID-19 might have long-term effects. These might be called post-COVID conditions, long COVID, chronic COVID, or long-haul COVID. People who have been reinfected with COVID have a higher risk of developing long COVID. A person with long COVID can continue to have some of their initial symptoms last longer than usual. Some symptoms may get better or go away completely while others remain a problem for longer periods of time. These symptoms might last weeks, months, or even longer. Some common symptoms of long COVID include: Extreme tiredness that affects your daily life Symptoms that worsen after mental or physical effort Trouble thinking or concentrating Shortness of breath Diarrhea People who are vaccinated against COVID-19 might be less likely to get long COVID than people who aren’t vaccinated, but anyone can develop long COVID. If you have cancer and have long COVID, be sure to keep your cancer care team updated on your symptoms. Many cancer treatments can have some of the same side effects as the symptoms of long COVID. For the latest on COVID-19 symptoms, variants, and long COVID, visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website . COVID-19 in people with cancer Some people with cancer are at higher risk of serious illness if they get almost any viral infection, including COVID-19. People who were treated for cancer in the past (especially if it was years ago) are less likely to be at higher risk. But the situation for each person is different. The impact of COVID-19 on people living with cancer is still being studied. So far, research shows: Cancer itself and its treatments can increase a person’s risk of getting COVID-19. Some people with cancer have higher risks of having severe symptoms of COVID‑19. Some people with cancer have a higher risk of needing to be admitted to the hospital, needing to be in the intensive care unit (ICU), and needing mechanical ventilation (being on a ventilator) to help treat COVID-19 and its symptoms. Which people with cancer are at higher risk from COVID? It’s very important that people with cancer take steps to lower their risk of infection (see below). This is especially true for: People with blood cancers (such as leukemia or lymphoma) People getting chemotherapy (chemo) , long courses of corticosteroids (steroids), certain types of immunotherapy , or a stem cell or bone marrow transplant People living with lung cancer, because the COVID-19 virus often targets the respiratory system People who need frequent medical appointments, which can increase their risk of being exposed to COVID-19 If you have questions about COVID-19, remember each person’s situation is different. It's important that people who’ve had cancer talk with a doctor who understands their situation and medical history. How can I lower my risk of getting COVID-19? There are several things you can do to help lower your risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines Vaccines are one of the most important ways to help protect against COVID-19. Several vaccines are available to help protect against COVID-19. Because the COVID-19 virus changes over time, updated versions of the vaccines come out each year, to help protect against the most recent strains of the virus. Talk with your cancer care team about the vaccine Most cancer doctors advise COVID-19 vaccines for people with cancer. But if you’re being treated for cancer, there might be times when it makes sense to postpone getting the vaccine for a while, such as if the treatment will severely weaken your immune system. Some cancer treatments might even wipe out your immune system for a while, which might mean you need to get revaccinated later on. If you’re being treated for cancer, talk to your doctor about your immune status and whether it could affect the best time for you to get the vaccine, as well as what else you can do to help lower your risk of COVID-19 infection. For more on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the CDC website . Talk to your doctor about other medicines to lower your risk For people who are less likely to get enough protection from COVID-19 vaccines, pemivibart (Pemgarda) can help lower the risk of infection. This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein (IV), typically once every 3 months. It’s important to note that in people who can get COVID-19 vaccines, this treatment should be used in addition to, not instead of getting the vaccine . Talk to your doctor for more information and to find out whether pemivibart is an option for you. Lower your risk in other ways Being vaccinated and taking preventive medicines can help lower your risk, but those actions don’t protect you completely. Even if you’re up to date with vaccines or have had COVID-19 in the past, you can still be infected or reinfected. Other things you can do to help lower your risk of getting COVID-19, as well as other respiratory infections like the flu, might include: Avoiding crowded indoor spaces Avoiding close contact with people who are sick Wearing a mask when out in public If you have (or have had) cancer, or if you’re taking care of someone with cancer, talk to the cancer care team about which precautions are right for you. Their recommendations will depend on whether you have a weakened immune system or other risk factors for severe COVID-19. Learn more ways to protect yourself and others in Infections in People with Cancer . How is COVID-19 treated? Not everyone who gets COVID-19 needs to be treated. But treating COVID-19 can be very helpful for some people, especially those who are more likely to get very sick from it. Several different drugs (or combinations of drugs) might be used, depending on how sick a person is, how old they are, and other factors. If needed, these treatments can be used in most people, including people with cancer. Depending on the drug used, these treatments typically work by: Targeting the virus that causes COVID-19. Reducing inflammation in the body. Inflammation can lead to some of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19. Researchers are also studying many other drugs that might help treat COVID-19 or its symptoms. Questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19 If you have cancer or have had cancer in the past, here are some questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19: Am I at higher risk of serious illness if I get COVID-19? Why or why not? Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? If so, should I get it now, or should I wait? Could my cancer or its treatment affect how well the vaccine works for me? Should I take any other steps to lower my risk of getting COVID, even if I’ve had the vaccine? If so, what would these be? What about the people taking care of me? Should they get the COVID vaccine and/or take other steps to lower their risk? What should I do if I have symptoms that might be from COVID-19? If I get sick from COVID-19, will it affect my treatment or the outlook (prognosis) of my cancer? Remember, each person’s cancer, treatment, and situation can be different, so the answers might not be the same for everyone. Where can I learn more about COVID-19? For other sources of information on COVID-19, including more detailed answers to some common questions, visit the following websites: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) National Cancer Institute (NCI) World Health Organization (WHO)
Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html#center-right-container) 0 showDesktop,showTablet,showMobile ![A young girl rings the bell surrounded by people ](https://www.cancer.org/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--e04d4f05-0691-4947-b4a3-8b318bfe1a13/fy26-august-hope-lodge-lightbox.jpg?preferwebp=true&quality=82) \$100 donation = One free night near treatment. When cancer takes both health and savings, a free place to stay near treatment means everything. Your gift makes it possible. [\$50](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) [\$100](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) [\$250](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) [\$500](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) The value must be greater than or equal to \$5 The value must be lesser than \$1M [Donate Now](https://donate.cancer.org/?amount=100&campaign=hopelodgelightbox&lang=en) Your gift is 100% tax deductible. × [English]() - [English]() - [Esta página](https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/como-sobrellevar-el-cancer/efectos-secundarios/infecciones/covid-19-y-cancer.html) - [Página inicial](https://www.cancer.org/es.html) - [Arabic (اللغة العربية)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/arabic.html) - [Chinese (简体中文)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/chinese.html) - [French (Français)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/french.html) - [Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/haitian-creole.html) - [Hindi (जानकारी)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/hindi.html) - [Korean (한국어)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/korean.html) - [Polish (język polski)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/polish.html) - [Portuguese (Português)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/portuguese.html) - [Russian (Русский)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/russian.html) - [Spanish (Español)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/spanish.html) - [Tagalog (Tagalog)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/tagalog.html) - [Ukrainian (Українська)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/ukrainian.html) - [Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/vietnamese.html) - [All Languages](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages.html) Contact Us [800\.227.2345](tel:800.227.2345) [Help](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) [Sign Up For Email](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/email-sign-up.html) [Give In Honor & Memorial](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialbutton&lang=en) [Donate](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=default&lang=en) - [![ACS Logo Alt Txt](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/images/logos/acs/acs-logo.svg)](https://www.cancer.org/) - [All About Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Cancer Types](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types.html) - [Breast Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer.html) - [Colon & Rectal Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html) - [Lung Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer.html) - [Prostate Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer.html) - [Skin Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/skin-cancer.html) - [All Cancer Types](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types.html) - [Understanding Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer.html) - [What Is Cancer?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/what-is-cancer.html) - [Cancer Glossary](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/glossary.html) - [Anatomy Gallery](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/anatomy-gallery.html) - [Risk & Prevention](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention.html) - [Genetics](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/genetics.html) - [Tobacco](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco.html) - [HPV](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/hpv.html) - [Diet & Physical Activity](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/diet-physical-activity.html) - [Sun Safety](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv.html) - [Cancer Risk Assessment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/cancer-risk-360.html) - [Screening](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening.html) - [Diagnosis, Tests, Staging](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging.html) - [Signs & Symptoms](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html) - [Coping with a New Diagnosis](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/coping.html) - [Cancer Care](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer.html) - [Treatment Types](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types.html) - [Making Treatment Decisions](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions.html) - [Preparing for Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/preparing-for-treatment.html) - [Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects.html) - [Daily Life & Supportive Care During Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/supportive-care.html) - [Patient Navigation](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/patient-navigation.html) - [Financial & Insurance Matters](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters.html) - [End of Life Care](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/end-of-life-care.html) - [Survivorship](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship.html) - [Caregivers & Family](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/caregivers.html) - [Childhood Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/childhood-cancer.html) - [Adolescents & Young Adults](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/adolescents-young-adults.html) - [Veterans](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/veterans.html) - [For Health Professionals](https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals.html) - [Cancer Connection Stories](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news.html) - [Bookstore](https://www.cancer.org/american-cancer-society-books.html) [Explore All About Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer.html) - [All About Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Programs & Services](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Road To Recovery - Free Rides to Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/road-to-recovery.html) - [Free Lodging During Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging.html) - [ACS CARES™](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/acs-cares.html) - [Free Smoking Cessation Support](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/empowered-to-quit.html) - [Connect with Survivors](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/online-communities.html) - [Breast Cancer Support](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/acs-cares.html) - [Survivor Stories](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/cancer-stories.html) - [24/7 Cancer Helpline](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/online-help/contact-us.html) - [Call us 1-800-227-2345](tel://1-800-227-2345) - [Resource Search](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/resource-search.html) - [Corporate Resources](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/corporate-resources.html) [Explore Programs & Services](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services.html) - [Programs & Services](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Ways to Give](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Donate Online](https://www.cancer.org/donate.html) - [Become a Monthly Donor](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=menumonthly) - [Donate Now](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=menudefault) - [Honor & Memorial Giving](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialmenu) - [Make a Corporate Donation](https://donate.cancer.org/corporate) - [Top 5 Reasons to Become a Monthly Donor](https://www.cancer.org/donate/top-5-reasons.html) - [More Ways to Give](https://www.cancer.org/donate.html) - [Donate by Mail or Phone](https://www.cancer.org/donate/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html) - [Donate Your Car](https://www.cancer.org/donate/cars-for-a-cure.html) - [Donate Your Stuff](https://www.cancer.org/donate.html#stuff) - [Donate DAF](https://www.cancer.org/donate/donor-advised-fund.html) - [Donate FAQs](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/online-help/donation-faq.html) - [Shop to Save Lives](https://www.cancer.org/donate/shop.html) - [ACS Shop](https://shop.cancer.org/) - [Events Shop](https://www.acseventstore.org/) - [Greeting Cards](https://www.acsholidaycollection.org/index.jsp) - [Discovery Shops](https://www.cancer.org/donate/discovery-shops-national.html) - [Partner Promotions](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/partners-promotions.html) - [Philanthropy](https://www.cancer.org/donate/philanthropy.html) - [Wills, Trusts, and Legacy Giving](https://www.cancer.org/donate/planned-giving.html) - [Donor Advised Funds (DAF)](https://www.cancer.org/donate/donor-advised-fund.html) - [IRA Charitable Rollover](https://cancer.plannedgiving.org/ira-charitable-rollover) - [Stock Gifts](https://www.cancer.org/donate/gifts-of-securities.html) - [Foundations](https://www.cancer.org/donate/philanthropy/foundation-giving.html) - [Become a Partner](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner.html) - [Our Valued Partners](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/our-partners.html) - [Partner Promotions](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/partners-promotions.html) - [Corporate Resources](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/corporate-resources.html) - [Corporate & Workplace Giving](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/employee-engagement.html) - [Become a Corporate Partner](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner.html) - [Become a Corporate Donor](https://www.cancer.org/donate/corporate-and-workplace-giving.html) - [Workplace Giving & Matching Funds](https://www.cancer.org/donate/matching-gifts.html) - [Organize a Workplace Fundraiser](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/employee-engagement/micro-campaigns.html) - [Payroll Deductions](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/employee-engagement.html) [Explore Ways to Give](https://www.cancer.org/donate.html) - [Ways to Give](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Get Involved](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Fundraising Events](https://www.cancer.org/involved/event-search.html) - [Relay For Life](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/relay-for-life.html) - [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/making-strides-against-breast-cancer.html) - [Endurance Events](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/determination.html) - [Galas, Balls, and Parties](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/galas.html) - [Golf Tournaments](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/golf-tournaments.html) - [Start a Fundraiser](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise.html) - [Create Your Own Fundraiser](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/diy-fundraising.html) - [Fundraise on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/fund/AmericanCancerSociety/) - [Youth Sports](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/youth-sports.html) - [Virtual Challenges](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/virtual-challenges.html) - [Volunteer](https://www.cancer.org/involved/volunteer.html) - [Be an Advocate](https://www.cancer.org/involved/volunteer/acs-can.html) - [Opportunities for Organizations](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/employee-engagement.html) - [ACS GenNow Network](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/young-professionals.html) - [Donate](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=default&lang=en) ![featured image](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/es_es/images/homepage/making-strides-against-breast-cancer-header-thumbnail.jpg) [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/making-strides-against-breast-cancer.html) [Explore Get Involved](https://www.cancer.org/involved.html) - [Get Involved](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Our Research & Journals](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Highlights of ACS Cancer Research](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights.html) - [ACS Research News](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news.html) - [Apply for an ACS Grant](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant.html) - [Grant Application and Review Process](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/our-grant-process.html) - [Currently Funded Grants](https://www.cancer.org/research/currently-funded-cancer-research.html) - [Cancer Facts & Statistics](https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics.html) - [ACS Screening Guidelines](https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals/american-cancer-society-prevention-early-detection-guidelines.html) - [CPS-3: Cancer Prevention Study-3](https://www.cancer.org/research/cps3-cancer-prevention-study-3.html) - [VOICES of Black Women Study](https://www.cancer.org/research/voices-of-black-women.html) - [Cancer Research Training](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-cancer-research-training.html) - [For High School Students](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-cancer-research-training/all-programs-table/high-school-program.html) - [For College Undergraduates](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-cancer-research-training/all-programs-table/internship-for-undergraduates.html) - [For Post-Baccalaureate Fellows](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-cancer-research-training/all-programs-table/acs-post-baccalaureate-fellows-program.html) - [ACS Research Team Bios](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-researchers.html) - [Early Cancer Detection Science](https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals/american-cancer-society-prevention-early-detection-guidelines/overview.html) - [Extramural Discovery Science](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research.html) - [Population Science](https://www.cancer.org/research/population-science.html) - [Surveillance, Prevention, & Health Services Research](https://www.cancer.org/research/surveillance.html) - [ACS Medical Journals](https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals/acs-publications.html) - [Cancer Atlas](https://canceratlas.cancer.org/) - [US Tobacco Atlas](https://ustobaccoatlas.cancer.org/) - [Cancer Statistics Center](https://cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org/) - [Glossary for Nonscientists](https://www.cancer.org/research/understanding-cancer-research-terms.html) - [Research Events](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/american-cancer-society-research-events19.html) - [Jiler Conference](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/jiler-professors-and-fellows-conference.html) ![featured image](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-facts-and-figures/US%20states%20wordle%20art.png) [How Does Your State Compare?](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/how-well-is-your-state-protecting-you-from-cancer.html) [Explore Our Research](https://www.cancer.org/research.html) - [Our Research & Journals](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [About Us](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Who We Are](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are.html) - [110 Years of Wins](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/110-anniversary.html) - [Our Mission](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/mission-statements.html) - [Our Core Values](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/our-core-values.html) - [Our Valued Partners](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/our-partners.html) - [Our History](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/our-history.html) - [Our Leadership](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/executive-leadership.html) - [Financials & Governance](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/financial-governance-information.html) - [What We Do](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do.html) - [Encourage Prevention](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/encouraging-prevention.html) - [Provide Support](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/providing-support.html) - [Address Cancer Disparities](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/health-equity.html) - [Foster Innovation](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/fostering-innovation.html) - [Support in Your State](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local.html) - [Cancer Action Network](https://www.fightcancer.org/) - [Global Cancer Support](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/global-cancer-support.html) - [Contact Us](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/online-help/contact-us.html) - [Employment Opportunities](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/employment-opportunities.html) - [ACS News Room](https://pressroom.cancer.org/) - [Sign Up for Email](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/email-sign-up.html) - [Sign Up for Text Messages](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/sms.html) ![featured image](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/images/photographs/corporations/Delta_JETRELAY_3140.jpg) [We couldn’t do it without the help of our partners](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/our-partners.html) [Explore About Us](https://www.cancer.org/about-us.html) - [About Us](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) Search ![hamburger](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/acs/hamburger-icon.svg) ![close-icon](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/acs/close-icon.svg) [Give In Honor & Memorial](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialbutton&lang=en) [Sign Up For Email](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/email-sign-up.html) [Sign Up For Text Messages](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/sms.html) - [All About Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Cancer Types](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types.html) - [Breast Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer.html) - [Colon & Rectal Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html) - [Lung Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer.html) - [Prostate Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer.html) - [Skin Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/skin-cancer.html) - [All Cancer Types](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types.html) - [Understanding Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer.html) - [What Is Cancer?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/what-is-cancer.html) - [Cancer Glossary](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/glossary.html) - [Anatomy Gallery](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/anatomy-gallery.html) - [Risk & Prevention](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention.html) - [Genetics](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/genetics.html) - [Tobacco](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco.html) - [HPV](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/hpv.html) - [Diet & Physical Activity](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/diet-physical-activity.html) - [Sun Safety](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv.html) - [Cancer Risk Assessment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/cancer-risk-360.html) - [Screening](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening.html) - [Diagnosis, Tests, Staging](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging.html) - [Signs & Symptoms](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html) - [Coping with a New Diagnosis](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/coping.html) - [Cancer Care](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer.html) - [Treatment Types](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types.html) - [Making Treatment Decisions](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions.html) - [Preparing for Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/preparing-for-treatment.html) - [Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects.html) - [Daily Life & Supportive Care During Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/supportive-care.html) - [Patient Navigation](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/patient-navigation.html) - [Financial & Insurance Matters](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters.html) - [End of Life Care](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/end-of-life-care.html) - [Survivorship](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship.html) - [Caregivers & Family](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/caregivers.html) - [Childhood Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/childhood-cancer.html) - [Adolescents & Young Adults](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/adolescents-young-adults.html) - [Veterans](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/veterans.html) - [For Health Professionals](https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals.html) - [Cancer Connection Stories](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news.html) - [Bookstore](https://www.cancer.org/american-cancer-society-books.html) [Explore All About Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer.html) - [All About Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Programs & Services](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Road To Recovery - Free Rides to Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/road-to-recovery.html) - [Free Lodging During Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging.html) - [ACS CARES™](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/acs-cares.html) - [Free Smoking Cessation Support](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/empowered-to-quit.html) - [Connect with Survivors](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/online-communities.html) - [Breast Cancer Support](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/acs-cares.html) - [Survivor Stories](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/cancer-stories.html) - [24/7 Cancer Helpline](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/online-help/contact-us.html) - [Call us 1-800-227-2345](tel://1-800-227-2345) - [Resource Search](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/resource-search.html) - [Corporate Resources](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/corporate-resources.html) [Explore Programs & Services](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services.html) - [Programs & Services](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Ways to Give](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Donate Online](https://www.cancer.org/donate.html) - [Become a Monthly Donor](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=menumonthly) - [Donate Now](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=menudefault) - [Honor & Memorial Giving](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialmenu) - [Make a Corporate Donation](https://donate.cancer.org/corporate) - [Top 5 Reasons to Become a Monthly Donor](https://www.cancer.org/donate/top-5-reasons.html) - [More Ways to Give](https://www.cancer.org/donate.html) - [Donate by Mail or Phone](https://www.cancer.org/donate/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html) - [Donate Your Car](https://www.cancer.org/donate/cars-for-a-cure.html) - [Donate Your Stuff](https://www.cancer.org/donate.html#stuff) - [Donate DAF](https://www.cancer.org/donate/donor-advised-fund.html) - [Donate FAQs](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/online-help/donation-faq.html) - [Shop to Save Lives](https://www.cancer.org/donate/shop.html) - [ACS Shop](https://shop.cancer.org/) - [Events Shop](https://www.acseventstore.org/) - [Greeting Cards](https://www.acsholidaycollection.org/index.jsp) - [Discovery Shops](https://www.cancer.org/donate/discovery-shops-national.html) - [Partner Promotions](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/partners-promotions.html) - [Philanthropy](https://www.cancer.org/donate/philanthropy.html) - [Wills, Trusts, and Legacy Giving](https://www.cancer.org/donate/planned-giving.html) - [Donor Advised Funds (DAF)](https://www.cancer.org/donate/donor-advised-fund.html) - [IRA Charitable Rollover](https://cancer.plannedgiving.org/ira-charitable-rollover) - [Stock Gifts](https://www.cancer.org/donate/gifts-of-securities.html) - [Foundations](https://www.cancer.org/donate/philanthropy/foundation-giving.html) - [Become a Partner](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner.html) - [Our Valued Partners](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/our-partners.html) - [Partner Promotions](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/partners-promotions.html) - [Corporate Resources](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/corporate-resources.html) - [Corporate & Workplace Giving](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/employee-engagement.html) - [Become a Corporate Partner](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner.html) - [Become a Corporate Donor](https://www.cancer.org/donate/corporate-and-workplace-giving.html) - [Workplace Giving & Matching Funds](https://www.cancer.org/donate/matching-gifts.html) - [Organize a Workplace Fundraiser](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/employee-engagement/micro-campaigns.html) - [Payroll Deductions](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/employee-engagement.html) [Explore Ways to Give](https://www.cancer.org/donate.html) - [Ways to Give](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Get Involved](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Fundraising Events](https://www.cancer.org/involved/event-search.html) - [Relay For Life](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/relay-for-life.html) - [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/making-strides-against-breast-cancer.html) - [Endurance Events](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/determination.html) - [Galas, Balls, and Parties](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/galas.html) - [Golf Tournaments](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/golf-tournaments.html) - [Start a Fundraiser](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise.html) - [Create Your Own Fundraiser](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/diy-fundraising.html) - [Fundraise on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/fund/AmericanCancerSociety/) - [Youth Sports](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/youth-sports.html) - [Virtual Challenges](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/virtual-challenges.html) - [Volunteer](https://www.cancer.org/involved/volunteer.html) - [Be an Advocate](https://www.cancer.org/involved/volunteer/acs-can.html) - [Opportunities for Organizations](https://www.cancer.org/donate/become-a-partner/employee-engagement.html) - [ACS GenNow Network](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/young-professionals.html) - [Donate](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=default&lang=en) ![featured image](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/es_es/images/homepage/making-strides-against-breast-cancer-header-thumbnail.jpg) [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/making-strides-against-breast-cancer.html) [Explore Get Involved](https://www.cancer.org/involved.html) - [Get Involved](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Our Research & Journals](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Highlights of ACS Cancer Research](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights.html) - [ACS Research News](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news.html) - [Apply for an ACS Grant](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant.html) - [Grant Application and Review Process](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/our-grant-process.html) - [Currently Funded Grants](https://www.cancer.org/research/currently-funded-cancer-research.html) - [Cancer Facts & Statistics](https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics.html) - [ACS Screening Guidelines](https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals/american-cancer-society-prevention-early-detection-guidelines.html) - [CPS-3: Cancer Prevention Study-3](https://www.cancer.org/research/cps3-cancer-prevention-study-3.html) - [VOICES of Black Women Study](https://www.cancer.org/research/voices-of-black-women.html) - [Cancer Research Training](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-cancer-research-training.html) - [For High School Students](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-cancer-research-training/all-programs-table/high-school-program.html) - [For College Undergraduates](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-cancer-research-training/all-programs-table/internship-for-undergraduates.html) - [For Post-Baccalaureate Fellows](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-cancer-research-training/all-programs-table/acs-post-baccalaureate-fellows-program.html) - [ACS Research Team Bios](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-researchers.html) - [Early Cancer Detection Science](https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals/american-cancer-society-prevention-early-detection-guidelines/overview.html) - [Extramural Discovery Science](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research.html) - [Population Science](https://www.cancer.org/research/population-science.html) - [Surveillance, Prevention, & Health Services Research](https://www.cancer.org/research/surveillance.html) - [ACS Medical Journals](https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals/acs-publications.html) - [Cancer Atlas](https://canceratlas.cancer.org/) - [US Tobacco Atlas](https://ustobaccoatlas.cancer.org/) - [Cancer Statistics Center](https://cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org/) - [Glossary for Nonscientists](https://www.cancer.org/research/understanding-cancer-research-terms.html) - [Research Events](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/american-cancer-society-research-events19.html) - [Jiler Conference](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/jiler-professors-and-fellows-conference.html) ![featured image](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-facts-and-figures/US%20states%20wordle%20art.png) [How Does Your State Compare?](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/how-well-is-your-state-protecting-you-from-cancer.html) [Explore Our Research](https://www.cancer.org/research.html) - [Our Research & Journals](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [About Us](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Who We Are](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are.html) - [110 Years of Wins](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/110-anniversary.html) - [Our Mission](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/mission-statements.html) - [Our Core Values](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/our-core-values.html) - [Our Valued Partners](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/our-partners.html) - [Our History](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/our-history.html) - [Our Leadership](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/executive-leadership.html) - [Financials & Governance](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/financial-governance-information.html) - [What We Do](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do.html) - [Encourage Prevention](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/encouraging-prevention.html) - [Provide Support](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/providing-support.html) - [Address Cancer Disparities](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/health-equity.html) - [Foster Innovation](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/fostering-innovation.html) - [Support in Your State](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local.html) - [Cancer Action Network](https://www.fightcancer.org/) - [Global Cancer Support](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/global-cancer-support.html) - [Contact Us](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/online-help/contact-us.html) - [Employment Opportunities](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/employment-opportunities.html) - [ACS News Room](https://pressroom.cancer.org/) - [Sign Up for Email](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/email-sign-up.html) - [Sign Up for Text Messages](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/sms.html) ![featured image](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/images/photographs/corporations/Delta_JETRELAY_3140.jpg) [We couldn’t do it without the help of our partners](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/our-partners.html) [Explore About Us](https://www.cancer.org/about-us.html) - [About Us](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - Contact Us - [800\.227.2345](tel:800.227.2345) - [Help](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) [English]() - [English](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Esta página](https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/como-sobrellevar-el-cancer/efectos-secundarios/infecciones/covid-19-y-cancer.html) - [Página inicial](https://www.cancer.org/es.html) - [Arabic (اللغة العربية)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/arabic.html) - [Chinese (简体中文)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/chinese.html) - [French (Français)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/french.html) - [Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/haitian-creole.html) - [Hindi (जानकारी)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/hindi.html) - [Korean (한국어)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/korean.html) - [Polish (język polski)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/polish.html) - [Portuguese (Português)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/portuguese.html) - [Russian (Русский)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/russian.html) - [Spanish (Español)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/spanish.html) - [Tagalog (Tagalog)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/tagalog.html) - [Ukrainian (Українська)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/ukrainian.html) - [Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages/vietnamese.html) - [All Languages](https://www.cancer.org/cancer-information-in-other-languages.html) [![ACS Logo Alt Txt](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/images/logos/acs/acs-logo.svg)](https://www.cancer.org/) [Donate](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=default&lang=en) https://searchapi.cancer.org Help Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear. [Start Live Chat](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) Live Chat available weekdays, 7:00 am - 6:30 pm CT Call us at [1-800-227-2345](tel:1-800-227-2345) Available any time of day or night Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include: - Referrals to patient-related programs or resources - Donations, website, or event-related assistance - Tobacco-related topics - Volunteer opportunities - Cancer Information For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor. 1. [Home](https://www.cancer.org/) 2. [All About Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer.html) 3. [Managing Cancer Care](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer.html) 4. [Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects.html) 5. [Infections in People with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections.html) 6. COVID-19 and Cancer [Back](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) [Managing Cancer Care](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer.html) - [Making Treatment Decisions](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions.html) - [Understanding Your Options for Cancer Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/making-decisions.html) - [Informed Consent](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/informed-consent.html) - [Seeking a Second Opinion](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/seeking-a-second-opinion.html) - [Questions to Ask When You've Been Diagnosed with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/questions-to-ask-your-doctor.html) - [Questions to Ask About Your Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/questions-to-ask-about-treatment.html) - [How Treatment Is Planned and Scheduled](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/planning-scheduling-treatment.html) - [When Treatment Should Start](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/when-treatment-should-start.html) - [Cancer During Pregnancy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/cancer-during-pregnancy.html) - [Pharmacogenomics in Cancer Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/pharmacogenomic-testing.html) - [Advance Directives](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/advance-directives.html) - [Types of Advance Directives](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/advance-directives/types-of-advance-health-care-directives.html) - [Frequently Asked Questions About Advance Directives](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/advance-directives/faqs.html) - [If Cancer Treatments Stop Working](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/if-cancer-treatments-stop-working.html) - [Clinical Trials](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/clinical-trials.html) - [Phases of Clinical Trials](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/clinical-trials/phases-of-clinical-trials.html) - [Finding a Clinical Trial](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/clinical-trials/finding-a-clinical-trial.html) - [Things to Consider Before Taking Part in a Clinical Trial](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/clinical-trials/things-to-consider.html) - [Being Part of a Clinical Trial](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/clinical-trials/being-part-of-a-clinical-trial.html) - [Compassionate Use](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/clinical-trials/compassionate-drug-use.html) - [Clinical Trial Videos](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/clinical-trials/clinical-trials-videos.html) - [ACS ACTS: Finding the Right Clinical Trial for You](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/clinical-trials/acs-acts.html) - [When Cancer Isn’t Your Only Health Problem](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/other-health-problems-besides-cancer.html) - [Treatment Types](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types.html) - [Cancer Surgery](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/surgery.html) - [Getting Ready for Cancer Surgery](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/surgery/getting-ready-for-cancer-surgery.html) - [Anesthesia for Cancer Surgery](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/surgery/anesthesia-for-cancer-surgery.html) - [Risks and Side Effects of Cancer Surgery](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/surgery/risks-of-cancer-surgery.html) - [Recovering from Cancer Surgery](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/surgery/recovering-from-cancer-surgery.html) - [Chemotherapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy.html) - [What Goes into Planning Your Chemotherapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy/planning-chemo-treatment.html) - [Types of Chemotherapy Drugs](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy/types-of-chemo-drugs.html) - [Getting Chemo Infusions or Injections](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy/getting-chemotherapy.html) - [Getting Oral Chemotherapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy/oral-chemotherapy.html) - [Getting Topical Chemotherapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy/topical-chemotherapy.html) - [Chemotherapy Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy/chemotherapy-side-effects.html) - [Chemotherapy Safety](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy/chemotherapy-safety.html) - [Radiation Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation.html) - [What Goes into Planning Your Radiation Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/basics.html) - [Getting External Beam Radiation Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/external-beam-radiation-therapy.html) - [Getting Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/internal-radiation-therapy-brachytherapy.html) - [Getting Oral or Systemic Radiation Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/systemic-radiation-therapy.html) - [Getting Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/intraoperative-radiation-therapy.html) - [Getting Proton Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/proton-therapy.html) - [Radiation Therapy Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/effects-on-different-parts-of-body.html) - [Radiation Therapy Safety](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation/safety.html) - [Targeted Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/targeted-therapy.html) - [How Does Targeted Therapy Work?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/targeted-therapy/how-does-targeted-therapy-work.html) - [Targeted Therapy Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/targeted-therapy/side-effects.html) - [Immunotherapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy.html) - [Monoclonal Antibodies](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy/monoclonal-antibodies.html) - [CAR T-cell Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy/car-t-cell.html) - [Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy/tumor-infiltrating-lymphocyte-therapy-tils.html) - [Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy/immune-checkpoint-inhibitors.html) - [Cancer Vaccines](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy/cancer-vaccines.html) - [Cytokines](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy/cytokines.html) - [Oncolytic Virus Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy/oncolytic-virus-therapy.html) - [Immunomodulators](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy/immunomodulators.html) - [Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant.html) - [What Are Stem Cells and Where Do They Come From?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/what-are-stem-cells.html) - [Types of Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/types-of-transplants.html) - [What Is It Like to Donate Stem Cells or Bone Marrow?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/donors.html) - [Getting a Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/process.html) - [Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/transplant-side-effects.html) - [Finding a Stem Cell Donor](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/finding-a-donor.html) - [Hormone Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/hormone-therapy.html) - [Hormone Therapy Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/hormone-therapy/side-effects.html) - [Angiogenesis Inhibitors](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/angiogenesis-inhibitors.html) - [Off-label Drug Use](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/off-label-drug-use.html) - [Precision or Personalized Medicine](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/precision-medicine.html) - [Biosimilar Medicines](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/biosimilar-drugs.html) - [Tumor-agnostic Drugs](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/tumor-agnostic-drugs.html) - [Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) /Electrical Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/tumor-treating-fields.html) - [Hyperthermia](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/hyperthermia.html) - [Laser Therapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/lasers-in-cancer-treatment.html) - [Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/photodynamic-therapy.html) - [Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects.html) - [Blood-related Problems](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/low-blood-counts.html) - [Anemia (Low Red Blood Cell Count)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/low-blood-counts/anemia.html) - [Bruising and Bleeding](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/low-blood-counts/bruising-and-bleeding.html) - [Blood Clots](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/low-blood-counts/blood-clots.html) - [Hematemesis (Vomiting Blood)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/low-blood-counts/hematemesis.html) - [Neutropenia (Low White Blood Cell Counts)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/low-blood-counts/neutropenia.html) - [Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/low-blood-counts/bleeding.html) - [Bowel and Bladder Problems](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/stool-or-urine-changes.html) - [Constipation](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/stool-or-urine-changes/constipation.html) - [Diarrhea](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/stool-or-urine-changes/diarrhea.html) - [Bowel Incontinence](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/stool-or-urine-changes/bowel-incontinence.html) - [Bladder Incontinence (Leakage)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/stool-or-urine-changes/bladder-incontinence.html) - [Urine Retention](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/stool-or-urine-changes/urine-retention.html) - [Cognitive Problems or Changes in Thinking](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/changes-in-mood-or-thinking.html) - [Confusion and Delirium](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/changes-in-mood-or-thinking/confusion.html) - [Changes in Memory, Thinking, and Focus (Chemo Brain)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/changes-in-mood-or-thinking/chemo-brain.html) - [Drinking and Eating Changes](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems.html) - [Nausea and Vomiting](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/nausea-and-vomiting.html) - [Dehydration and Lack of Fluids](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/fluids-and-dehydration.html) - [Mouth Dryness or Thick Saliva](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/dry-mouth.html) - [Loss of Appetite (Anorexia) and Cachexia](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/poor-appetite.html) - [Weight Changes](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/weight-changes.html) - [Taste and Smell Changes](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/taste-smell-changes.html) - [Mouth Soreness and Pain](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/mouth-sores.html) - [Hiccups and Heartburn](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/hiccups-and-heartburn.html) - [Swallowing Problems](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/swallowing-problems.html) - [Fertility](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility.html) - [Preserving Fertility in Children and Teens with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility/preserving-fertility-in-children-and-teens-with-cancer.html) - [Fertility Assistance and Other Options for Becoming a Parent After Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility/fertility-assistance-after-cancer.html) - [How Cancer and Cancer Treatment Can Affect Fertility in Men](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility/how-cancer-treatments-affect-fertility-men.html) - [Preserving Your Fertility When You Have Cancer (Men)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility/preserving-fertility-in-men.html) - [How Cancer and Cancer Treatment Can Affect Fertility in Women](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility/how-cancer-treatments-affect-fertility-women.html) - [Preserving Your Fertility When You Have Cancer (Women)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility/preserving-fertility-in-women.html) - [Having a Baby After Cancer: Pregnancy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility/pregnancy-after-cancer.html) - [Fatigue, Weakness, and Sleep Problems](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fatigue-weakness-sleep.html) - [Sleep Problems](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fatigue-weakness-sleep/sleep-problems.html) - [Fatigue](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fatigue-weakness-sleep/fatigue.html) - [Balance Problems, Weakness, and Falls](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fatigue-weakness-sleep/weakness-balance-falls.html) - [Hair, Skin, and Nail Problems](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails.html) - [Hair Loss](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/hair-loss.html) - [Cellulitis](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/cellulitis.html) - [Hot Flashes and Sweating](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/hot-flashes-and-sweating.html) - [Nail Changes](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/nail-changes.html) - [Pressure Sores](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/pressure-sores.html) - [Rashes and Skin Changes](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/rashes-skin-changes.html) - [Wounds and Scars](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/scars-and-wounds.html) - [Hand-Foot Syndrome](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/hand-foot-syndrome.html) - [Hypercalcemia (High Calcium Levels)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hypercalcemia.html) - [Infections in People with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections.html) - [Why Are People with Cancer More Likely to Get Infections?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/why-people-with-cancer-are-at-risk.html) - [Managing Infections and Sepsis in People with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/managing-infections-and-sepsis.html) - [Preventing Infections in People with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/preventing-infections-in-people-with-cancer.html) - [Fevers](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/fever.html) - [Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/vaccination-during-cancer-treatment.html) - [COVID-19 and Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html) - [Infusion or Immune Reactions](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infusion-immune-reactions.html) - [Mental Health and Distress](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/emotional-mood-changes.html) - [Anxiety](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/emotional-mood-changes/anxiety.html) - [Distress](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/emotional-mood-changes/distress.html) - [Depression](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/emotional-mood-changes/depression.html) - [Social Isolation and Loneliness](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/emotional-mood-changes/social-isolation-loneliness.html) - [Osteoporosis](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/osteoporosis.html) - [Pain](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/pain.html) - [Cancer Pain](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/pain/cancer-pain.html) - [Leg Cramps](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/pain/leg-cramps.html) - [Peripheral Neuropathy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/pain/peripheral-neuropathy.html) - [Post-mastectomy Pain Syndrome](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/pain/post-mastectomy-pain-syndrome.html) - [Headaches from Chemo and Other Cancer Treatments](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/pain/headaches.html) - [Seizures](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/seizures.html) - [Sexual Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects.html) - [How Cancer Can Affect Sex and Intimacy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/how-cancer-affects-sexuality.html) - [Dating and Relationships During and After Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/dating-after-cancer.html) - [How Cancer Can Affect Erections](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/erections-and-treatment.html) - [How Cancer Can Affect Ejaculation and Orgasm](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/ejaculation-and-treatment.html) - [How Cancer Can Affect Sexual Desire in Men](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/treatment-and-desire-and-response.html) - [How Cancer Surgery Can Affect Sex for Women](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/pelvic-surgery.html) - [How Radiation Therapy Can Affect Sex for Women](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/pelvic-radiation.html) - [How Hormone Therapy, Chemo, and Immunotherapy Can Affect Sex for Women](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/chemo.html) - [Managing Sexual Side Effects as a Woman with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/women-managing.html) - [Shortness of Breath](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/shortness-of-breath.html) - [Swelling](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/swelling.html) - [Lymphedema](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/swelling/lymphedema.html) - [Edema (Swelling)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/swelling/edema.html) - [Ascites](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/swelling/ascites.html) - [Understanding Information About New Cancer Treatments](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/how-to-interpret-news-about-new-cancer-treatments.html) [Download Section as PDF](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8896.00.pdf) # COVID-19 and Cancer People with cancer may face higher risks from contagious (spreadable) illnesses, including COVID-19. That’s because cancer and its treatments can weaken their immune system. This makes it harder to fight off infections. The virus can also have more serious side effects in people with certain types of cancer. Learn about COVID-19, how the virus can affect people with cancer, how to protect yourself and loved ones, and what to know about vaccines and staying safe. On this page [\[show\]]() [\[hide\]]() - [What is COVID-19?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html#what-is-covid-19?) - [Symptoms of COVID-19](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html#symptoms-of-covid-19) - [COVID-19 in people with cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html#covid-19-in-people-with-cancer) - [How can I lower my risk of getting COVID-19?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html#how-can-i-lower-my-risk-of-getting-covid-19?) - [How is COVID-19 treated?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html#how-is-covid-19-treated?) - [Questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html#questions-to-ask-your-health-care-team-about-covid-19) - [Where can I learn more about COVID-19?](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html#where-can-i-learn-more-about-covid-19?) ## What is COVID-19? COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is the name of the illness caused by a type of virus called a coronavirus. Several types of coronaviruses can infect humans. Some can cause more serious illnesses than others. The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2. Both adults and children can get COVID-19, even more than once. It's important to know that anyone with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they don’t have any symptoms. Infection with any virus, including the COVID-19 virus, causes the body’s immune system to respond and try to get rid of the infection. Your immune system normally also helps to protect you from severe illness and from getting infected again with the same virus. Some cancers and their treatments can weaken your immune system, making it easier for infections to get in and harder for the body to fight them off. ### COVID-19 variants Over time, viruses such as COVID-19 can change or mutate, resulting in new variants of the virus. These variants or strains might act slightly differently than the original virus. For example, they might spread more easily or be more resistant to known treatments or vaccines. They may have slightly different symptoms, too. ## Symptoms of COVID-19 People with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Some people might have no symptoms at all. ### Acute COVID-19 infection An acute infection happens within a short amount of time after a person is exposed to COVID-19. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are: - Fever or chills - Cough - Shortness of breath - Muscle aches and pains - Sore throat - Loss of smell or taste - Stuffy or runny nose - Feeling very tired - Headache - Diarrhea - Nausea or vomiting If you have cancer and have any of the above symptoms that get worse or don’t go away, contact your cancer care team. If you are being treated for your cancer, ask your care team if you need to delay any treatments based on your symptoms. COVID-19 can also sometimes cause serious signs and symptoms that need medical attention right away: - Trouble breathing - Constant pain or heaviness in the chest - Confusion or being hard to wake up - Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails, depending on skin tone Whether you have cancer or not, if you have any of these serious symptoms, get medical attention right away. People who have certain medical conditions, including cancer, are at a higher risk for severe COVID symptoms. A few risk factors for having more serious signs and symptoms include: - Being older - Having a weakened immune system - Having excess body weight (overweight or obesity) - [Smoking](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco.html), now or in the past - Having certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or lung cancer ### Long COVID Some people who’ve been infected with COVID-19 might have long-term effects. These might be called post-COVID conditions, long COVID, chronic COVID, or long-haul COVID. People who have been reinfected with COVID have a higher risk of developing long COVID. A person with long COVID can continue to have some of their initial symptoms last longer than usual. Some symptoms may get better or go away completely while others remain a problem for longer periods of time. These symptoms might last weeks, months, or even longer. Some common symptoms of long COVID include: - Extreme tiredness that affects your daily life - Symptoms that worsen after mental or physical effort - Trouble thinking or concentrating - Shortness of breath - Diarrhea People who are vaccinated against COVID-19 might be less likely to get long COVID than people who aren’t vaccinated, but anyone can develop long COVID. If you have cancer and have long COVID, be sure to keep your cancer care team updated on your symptoms. Many cancer treatments can have some of the same side effects as the symptoms of long COVID. For the latest on COVID-19 symptoms, variants, and long COVID, visit the [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website](https://www.cdc.gov/covid/index.html). ## COVID-19 in people with cancer Some people with cancer are at higher risk of serious illness if they get almost any viral infection, including COVID-19. People who were treated for cancer in the past (especially if it was years ago) are less likely to be at higher risk. But the situation for each person is different. The impact of COVID-19 on people living with cancer is still being studied. So far, research shows: - Cancer itself and its treatments can increase a person’s risk of getting COVID-19. - Some people with cancer have higher risks of having severe symptoms of COVID‑19. - Some people with cancer have a higher risk of needing to be admitted to the hospital, needing to be in the intensive care unit (ICU), and needing mechanical ventilation (being on a ventilator) to help treat COVID-19 and its symptoms. ### Which people with cancer are at higher risk from COVID? It’s very important that people with cancer take steps to lower their risk of infection (see below). This is especially true for: - People with [blood cancers](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/blood-cancer.html) (such as leukemia or lymphoma) - People getting [chemotherapy (chemo)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy.html), long courses of corticosteroids (steroids), certain types of [immunotherapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy.html), or a [stem cell or bone marrow transplant](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant.html) - People living with lung cancer, because the COVID-19 virus often targets the [respiratory system](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/anatomy-gallery/respiratory-system.html) - People who need frequent medical appointments, which can increase their risk of being exposed to COVID-19 If you have questions about COVID-19, remember each person’s situation is different. It's important that people who’ve had cancer talk with a doctor who understands their situation and medical history. ## How can I lower my risk of getting COVID-19? There are several things you can do to help lower your risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus. ### Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines Vaccines are one of the most important ways to help protect against COVID-19. Several vaccines are available to help protect against COVID-19. Because the COVID-19 virus changes over time, updated versions of the vaccines come out each year, to help protect against the most recent strains of the virus. #### Talk with your cancer care team about the vaccine Most cancer doctors advise COVID-19 vaccines for people with cancer. But if you’re being treated for cancer, there might be times when it makes sense to postpone getting the vaccine for a while, such as if the treatment will severely weaken your immune system. Some cancer treatments might even wipe out your immune system for a while, which might mean you need to get revaccinated later on. If you’re being treated for cancer, talk to your doctor about your immune status and whether it could affect the best time for you to get the vaccine, as well as what else you can do to help lower your risk of COVID-19 infection. For more on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the [CDC website](https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/). ### Talk to your doctor about other medicines to lower your risk For people who are less likely to get enough protection from COVID-19 vaccines, pemivibart (Pemgarda) can help lower the risk of infection. This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein (IV), typically once every 3 months. It’s important to note that *in people who can get COVID-19 vaccines, this treatment should be used in addition to, not instead of* getting the vaccine. Talk to your doctor for more information and to find out whether pemivibart is an option for you. ### Lower your risk in other ways Being vaccinated and taking preventive medicines can help lower your risk, but those actions don’t protect you completely. Even if you’re up to date with vaccines or have had COVID-19 in the past, you can still be infected or reinfected. Other things you can do to help lower your risk of getting COVID-19, as well as other respiratory infections like the flu, might include: - Avoiding crowded indoor spaces - Avoiding close contact with people who are sick - Wearing a mask when out in public If you have (or have had) cancer, or if you’re taking care of someone with cancer, talk to the cancer care team about which precautions are right for you.** Their recommendations will depend on whether you have a weakened immune system or other risk factors for severe COVID-19. Learn more ways to protect yourself and others in [Infections in People with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections.html). ## How is COVID-19 treated? Not everyone who gets COVID-19 needs to be treated. But treating COVID-19 can be very helpful for some people, especially those who are more likely to get very sick from it. Several different drugs (or combinations of drugs) might be used, depending on how sick a person is, how old they are, and other factors. If needed, these treatments can be used in most people, including people with cancer. Depending on the drug used, these treatments typically work by: - Targeting the virus that causes COVID-19. - Reducing inflammation in the body. Inflammation can lead to some of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19. Researchers are also studying many other drugs that might help treat COVID-19 or its symptoms. ## Questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19 If you have cancer or have had cancer in the past, here are some questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19: - Am I at higher risk of serious illness if I get COVID-19? Why or why not? - Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? If so, should I get it now, or should I wait? - Could my cancer or its treatment affect how well the vaccine works for me? - Should I take any other steps to lower my risk of getting COVID, even if I’ve had the vaccine? If so, what would these be? - What about the people taking care of me? Should they get the COVID vaccine and/or take other steps to lower their risk? - What should I do if I have symptoms that might be from COVID-19? - If I get sick from COVID-19, will it affect my treatment or the outlook (prognosis) of my cancer? Remember, each person’s cancer, treatment, and situation can be different, so the answers might not be the same for everyone. ## Where can I learn more about COVID-19? For other sources of information on COVID-19, including more detailed answers to some common questions, visit the following websites: - [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html) - [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)](https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/public-health-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19) - [National Cancer Institute (NCI)](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coronavirus/coronavirus-cancer-patient-information) - [World Health Organization (WHO)](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019) 1. Written by 2. References ![American Cancer Society logo](https://www.cancer.org/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--75a6196f-1475-44ba-8184-897627e3cd52/logo-fpo.png?preferwebp=true&quality=82) [The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acs-medical-content-and-news-staff.html) Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Coronavirus and COVID-19: What people with cancer need to know. Accessed at cancer.net. Content is no longer available. Aurer I, Moss P, Goldman M, et al. COVID-19 burden of illness in people who are immunocompromised due to cancer: An expert opinion review. Oncologist. 2025; 30(6): doi:10.1093/oncolo/oyaf074. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COVID-19. 2025. Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/covid/index.html on July 9, 2025. Gazeau ST, Deng X, Brunet-Ratnasingham E, et al. Using virtual patient cohorts to uncover immune response differences in cancer and immunosuppressed COVID-19 patients. PLoS Comput Biol. 2025 Jun 9;21(6):e1013170. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013170. PMID: 40489562; PMCID: PMC12180667. National Cancer Institute (NCI). 2025. COVID-19 and cancer. 2024. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coronavirus on July 9, 2025. Uzzo RD, Kutikov A, Geynisman DM. COVID-19: Considerations in patients with cancer. UpToDate. 2025. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/covid-19-considerations-in-patients-with-cancer on July 9, 2025. Last Revised: September 24, 2025 American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our [Content Usage Policy](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/policies/content-usage.html). #### American Cancer Society Emails Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society. [Sign Up for Email](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/email-sign-up.html) ## More Resources [Worksheet: Track Your Chemotherapy Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/cancer-control/en/worksheets/chemotherapy-side-effects-worksheet.pdf "Worksheet: Track Your Chemotherapy Side Effects") [Worksheet: Track Your Radiation Therapy Side Effects](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/cancer-control/en/worksheets/radiation-therapy-side-effects-worksheet.pdf "Worksheet: Track Your Radiation Therapy Side Effects") [Cancer Care Toolkit Organize your cancer journey with the American Cancer Society Cancer Care Toolkit.](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/preparing-for-treatment/cancer-care-toolkit.html "Cancer Care Toolkit") [Caregiver Resource Guide A helpful tool for people who are caring for someone with cancer. View the complete guide here.](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/caregivers/caregiver-resource-guide.html "Caregiver Resource Guide") Help us end cancer as we know it, for everyone. [Donate with Confidence](https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=confidence) [![ Charity Navigator 4-star rating button](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/images/logos/four-star-rating-badge.png)](https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/131788491) [![ BBB rating button](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/images/logos/2023-accredited-seal-blue.png)](https://give.org/charity-reviews/national/Health/American-Cancer-Society-in-Kennesaw-ga-186) [![ Candid rating button](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/images/logos/badges/candid-seal-platinum-2025.png)](https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/d1390a0f-f0b9-4bc7-a2aa-a452e5e4052b) Cancer information, answers, and hope. Available every minute of every day. Follow Us Call Us [800\.227.2345](tel:800.227.2345) [Sign Up for Email](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/email-sign-up.html) [Sign Up for Text Messages](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/sms.html) - Cancer Information - [Cancer Prevention & Detection](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention.html "Cancer Prevention & Detection") - [Understanding Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer.html "Understanding Cancer") - [Signs & Symptoms of Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html "Signs & Symptoms of Cancer") - [Cancer Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions.html "Cancer Treatment") - [ACS Research Highlights](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights.html "ACS Research Highlights") - [Cancer Facts & Statistics](https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics.html "Cancer Facts & Statistics") - [Cancer Connection Stories](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news.html "Cancer Connection Stories") - [Glossary](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/glossary.html "Glossary") - [For Health Care Professionals](https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals.html "For Health Care Professionals") - ACS Fundraisers - [Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks](https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=strides_msabc "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks") - [Relay For Life Events](https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=relay "Relay For Life Events") - [American Cancer Society on Campus](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/american-cancer-society-on-campus.html "American Cancer Society on Campus") - [Coaches vs. Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/our-partners/sports-alliances/coaches-vs-cancer.html "Coaches vs. Cancer") - [Galas, Balls & Parties](https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/galas.html "Galas, Balls & Parties") - [Ways to Give](https://www.cancer.org/donate.html "Ways to Give") - [Memorial Giving](https://www.cancer.org/donate/memorial-giving.html "Memorial Giving") - [Planned Giving](https://www.cancer.org/donate/planned-giving.html "Planned Giving") - [Philanthropy](https://www.cancer.org/donate/philanthropy.html "Philanthropy") - [Donate a Car](https://www.cancer.org/donate/cars-for-a-cure.html "Donate a Car") - [Donate by Mail or Phone](https://www.cancer.org/donate/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html "Donate by Mail or Phone") - About ACS - [Contact Us](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/online-help/contact-us.html "Contact Us") - [ACS in Your Community](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local.html "ACS in Your Community") - [Employment](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/employment-opportunities.html "Employment") - [Information for Suppliers](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/become-a-supplier.html "Information for Suppliers") - [Report Fraud or Abuse](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/financial-governance-information/report-fraud-or-abuse.html "Report Fraud or Abuse") - [Sign Up for Email](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/email-sign-up.html "Sign Up for Email") - [Sign Up for Text Messages](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/sms.html "Sign Up for Text Messages") - [Our Research](https://www.cancer.org/research.html "Our Research") - [American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network](https://www.fightcancer.org/ "American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network") - [Global Health](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/global-cancer-support.html "Global Health") - [Policies](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/policies.html "Policies") - [Our Volunteers](https://www.cancer.org/involved/volunteer.html "Our Volunteers") - [Mail a Check](https://www.cancer.org/donate/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html "Mail a Check") - About ACS Programs & Services - [Lodging During Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/patient-lodging/hope-lodge.html "Lodging During Treatment") - [Rides To Treatment](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/road-to-recovery.html "Rides To Treatment") - [Breast Cancer Support](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/acs-cares.html "Breast Cancer Support") - [Hair Loss and Post-surgical Products](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/everyou.html "Hair Loss and Post-surgical Products") - [Connecting Cancer Survivors](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/online-communities.html "Connecting Cancer Survivors") - [Patient and Caregiver Support](https://www.cancer.org/support-programs-and-services/acs-cares.html "Patient and Caregiver Support") - More ACS Sites - [Bookstore](https://www.cancer.org/american-cancer-society-books.html "Bookstore") - [Cancer Atlas](https://canceratlas.cancer.org/ "Cancer Atlas") - [Cancer Statistics Center](https://cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org/#!/ "Cancer Statistics Center") - [ACS News Room](https://pressroom.cancer.org/ "ACS News Room") - [American Cancer Society Roundtables](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/our-partners/nonprofit-partners/american-cancer-society-roundtables.html "American Cancer Society Roundtables") - [Volunteer Community](https://volunteercommunity.cancer.org/s/?language=en_US "Volunteer Community") - [FAQs](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/online-help.html) - [Site Map](https://www.cancer.org/sitemap.html) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/policies/privacy-statement.html) - [Privacy Rights](https://privacyportal.onetrust.com/webform/3c8afaca-709c-4d53-a881-7a90a3f0de69/9ee0546c-3514-4b59-bf1d-a996e9027671) - [Health Privacy Policy](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/policies/health-privacy-policy.html) - [Accessibility](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/policies/accessibility-policy.html) - [Terms of Use](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/policies/user-agreement.html) - [State Fundraising Notices](https://www.cancer.org/about-us/policies/state-fundraising-notices.html) © 2026 American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Tax ID Number: 13-1788491. Donate by Mail: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704. Hagerstown, MD 21741 Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family. ![Open chat](https://assets-chat-dqcfe8adhpcrfnbc.a03.azurefd.net/assets/comment-dots.svg)
Readable Markdown	People with cancer may face higher risks from contagious (spreadable) illnesses, including COVID-19. That’s because cancer and its treatments can weaken their immune system. This makes it harder to fight off infections. The virus can also have more serious side effects in people with certain types of cancer. Learn about COVID-19, how the virus can affect people with cancer, how to protect yourself and loved ones, and what to know about vaccines and staying safe. ## What is COVID-19? COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is the name of the illness caused by a type of virus called a coronavirus. Several types of coronaviruses can infect humans. Some can cause more serious illnesses than others. The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2. Both adults and children can get COVID-19, even more than once. It's important to know that anyone with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they don’t have any symptoms. Infection with any virus, including the COVID-19 virus, causes the body’s immune system to respond and try to get rid of the infection. Your immune system normally also helps to protect you from severe illness and from getting infected again with the same virus. Some cancers and their treatments can weaken your immune system, making it easier for infections to get in and harder for the body to fight them off. ### COVID-19 variants Over time, viruses such as COVID-19 can change or mutate, resulting in new variants of the virus. These variants or strains might act slightly differently than the original virus. For example, they might spread more easily or be more resistant to known treatments or vaccines. They may have slightly different symptoms, too. ## Symptoms of COVID-19 People with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Some people might have no symptoms at all. ### Acute COVID-19 infection An acute infection happens within a short amount of time after a person is exposed to COVID-19. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are: - Fever or chills - Cough - Shortness of breath - Muscle aches and pains - Sore throat - Loss of smell or taste - Stuffy or runny nose - Feeling very tired - Headache - Diarrhea - Nausea or vomiting If you have cancer and have any of the above symptoms that get worse or don’t go away, contact your cancer care team. If you are being treated for your cancer, ask your care team if you need to delay any treatments based on your symptoms. COVID-19 can also sometimes cause serious signs and symptoms that need medical attention right away: - Trouble breathing - Constant pain or heaviness in the chest - Confusion or being hard to wake up - Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails, depending on skin tone Whether you have cancer or not, if you have any of these serious symptoms, get medical attention right away. People who have certain medical conditions, including cancer, are at a higher risk for severe COVID symptoms. A few risk factors for having more serious signs and symptoms include: - Being older - Having a weakened immune system - Having excess body weight (overweight or obesity) - [Smoking](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco.html), now or in the past - Having certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or lung cancer ### Long COVID Some people who’ve been infected with COVID-19 might have long-term effects. These might be called post-COVID conditions, long COVID, chronic COVID, or long-haul COVID. People who have been reinfected with COVID have a higher risk of developing long COVID. A person with long COVID can continue to have some of their initial symptoms last longer than usual. Some symptoms may get better or go away completely while others remain a problem for longer periods of time. These symptoms might last weeks, months, or even longer. Some common symptoms of long COVID include: - Extreme tiredness that affects your daily life - Symptoms that worsen after mental or physical effort - Trouble thinking or concentrating - Shortness of breath - Diarrhea People who are vaccinated against COVID-19 might be less likely to get long COVID than people who aren’t vaccinated, but anyone can develop long COVID. If you have cancer and have long COVID, be sure to keep your cancer care team updated on your symptoms. Many cancer treatments can have some of the same side effects as the symptoms of long COVID. For the latest on COVID-19 symptoms, variants, and long COVID, visit the [US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website](https://www.cdc.gov/covid/index.html). ## COVID-19 in people with cancer Some people with cancer are at higher risk of serious illness if they get almost any viral infection, including COVID-19. People who were treated for cancer in the past (especially if it was years ago) are less likely to be at higher risk. But the situation for each person is different. The impact of COVID-19 on people living with cancer is still being studied. So far, research shows: - Cancer itself and its treatments can increase a person’s risk of getting COVID-19. - Some people with cancer have higher risks of having severe symptoms of COVID‑19. - Some people with cancer have a higher risk of needing to be admitted to the hospital, needing to be in the intensive care unit (ICU), and needing mechanical ventilation (being on a ventilator) to help treat COVID-19 and its symptoms. ### Which people with cancer are at higher risk from COVID? It’s very important that people with cancer take steps to lower their risk of infection (see below). This is especially true for: - People with [blood cancers](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/blood-cancer.html) (such as leukemia or lymphoma) - People getting [chemotherapy (chemo)](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/chemotherapy.html), long courses of corticosteroids (steroids), certain types of [immunotherapy](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy.html), or a [stem cell or bone marrow transplant](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant.html) - People living with lung cancer, because the COVID-19 virus often targets the [respiratory system](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/understanding-cancer/anatomy-gallery/respiratory-system.html) - People who need frequent medical appointments, which can increase their risk of being exposed to COVID-19 If you have questions about COVID-19, remember each person’s situation is different. It's important that people who’ve had cancer talk with a doctor who understands their situation and medical history. ## How can I lower my risk of getting COVID-19? There are several things you can do to help lower your risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus. ### Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines Vaccines are one of the most important ways to help protect against COVID-19. Several vaccines are available to help protect against COVID-19. Because the COVID-19 virus changes over time, updated versions of the vaccines come out each year, to help protect against the most recent strains of the virus. #### Talk with your cancer care team about the vaccine Most cancer doctors advise COVID-19 vaccines for people with cancer. But if you’re being treated for cancer, there might be times when it makes sense to postpone getting the vaccine for a while, such as if the treatment will severely weaken your immune system. Some cancer treatments might even wipe out your immune system for a while, which might mean you need to get revaccinated later on. If you’re being treated for cancer, talk to your doctor about your immune status and whether it could affect the best time for you to get the vaccine, as well as what else you can do to help lower your risk of COVID-19 infection. For more on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the [CDC website](https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/). ### Talk to your doctor about other medicines to lower your risk For people who are less likely to get enough protection from COVID-19 vaccines, pemivibart (Pemgarda) can help lower the risk of infection. This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein (IV), typically once every 3 months. It’s important to note that *in people who can get COVID-19 vaccines, this treatment should be used in addition to, not instead of* getting the vaccine. Talk to your doctor for more information and to find out whether pemivibart is an option for you. ### Lower your risk in other ways Being vaccinated and taking preventive medicines can help lower your risk, but those actions don’t protect you completely. Even if you’re up to date with vaccines or have had COVID-19 in the past, you can still be infected or reinfected. Other things you can do to help lower your risk of getting COVID-19, as well as other respiratory infections like the flu, might include: - Avoiding crowded indoor spaces - Avoiding close contact with people who are sick - Wearing a mask when out in public If you have (or have had) cancer, or if you’re taking care of someone with cancer, talk to the cancer care team about which precautions are right for you.** Their recommendations will depend on whether you have a weakened immune system or other risk factors for severe COVID-19. Learn more ways to protect yourself and others in [Infections in People with Cancer](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections.html). ## How is COVID-19 treated? Not everyone who gets COVID-19 needs to be treated. But treating COVID-19 can be very helpful for some people, especially those who are more likely to get very sick from it. Several different drugs (or combinations of drugs) might be used, depending on how sick a person is, how old they are, and other factors. If needed, these treatments can be used in most people, including people with cancer. Depending on the drug used, these treatments typically work by: - Targeting the virus that causes COVID-19. - Reducing inflammation in the body. Inflammation can lead to some of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19. Researchers are also studying many other drugs that might help treat COVID-19 or its symptoms. ## Questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19 If you have cancer or have had cancer in the past, here are some questions to ask your health care team about COVID-19: - Am I at higher risk of serious illness if I get COVID-19? Why or why not? - Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? If so, should I get it now, or should I wait? - Could my cancer or its treatment affect how well the vaccine works for me? - Should I take any other steps to lower my risk of getting COVID, even if I’ve had the vaccine? If so, what would these be? - What about the people taking care of me? Should they get the COVID vaccine and/or take other steps to lower their risk? - What should I do if I have symptoms that might be from COVID-19? - If I get sick from COVID-19, will it affect my treatment or the outlook (prognosis) of my cancer? Remember, each person’s cancer, treatment, and situation can be different, so the answers might not be the same for everyone. ## Where can I learn more about COVID-19? For other sources of information on COVID-19, including more detailed answers to some common questions, visit the following websites: - [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html) - [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)](https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/public-health-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19) - [National Cancer Institute (NCI)](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coronavirus/coronavirus-cancer-patient-information) - [World Health Organization (WHO)](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019)
Shard	179 (laksa)
Root Hash	7371806594931210179
Unparsed URL	org,cancer!www,/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/infections/covid-19.html s443