A look at an academic paper on COVID -19 mortality

This blog by Marion Foreman looks at an academic paper on COVID-19 mortality and whether having cancer treatment increases the risk of dying with COVID-19.

Right now, it’s hard enough for anyone to make a decision as to what to do for the best. But for anyone on their cancer journey it feels really difficult. 

You don’t need me to tell you that there is lots of ‘opinion’ out there, dressed up as facts. So to help with this really difficult dilemma, I have turned to an article published in The Lancet entitled ‘COVID -19 mortality in patients with cancer on chemotherapy or other anticancer treatments: a prospective study’ written by Lee et al (online May 28th). The authors are all listed as coming from UK Universities or Institutes of Immunology and the research is carried out by the ‘UK Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project Team’ (UKCCMP). So, I reckon that this is a paper worth reading and it sounds as if it is credible.

This study found that: 'Our data is strongly indicative that COVID-19 mortality in patients with cancer is principally driven by advancing age and the presence of other non-cancer co-morbidities'. 'At a population level, our data does not suggest that chemotherapy or anticancer treatments will necessarily increase the risk of mortality from COVId-19 and gives confidence to oncologists and other clinicians that delivery of effective anticancer regimens should continue during this difficult time.’

Those that did die of COVID-19 whilst on cancer treatment were predominately older, male and had co-morbidities, which, this study is suggesting might be why they died, rather than because of their cancer treatment.

Whilst the conclusion of this large sample study says that ‘withholding effective cancer treatments from many cancer patients during the pandemic runs the very real risk of increasing cancer morbidity and mortality, perhaps more so than the COVID-19 itself’, it’s not that simple.

Research studies are useful and informative but it’s not the whole picture. When the whole COVID-19 pandemic started there were many unknowns that had to be managed. Our clinicians didn’t know this information then and had to make swift, informed and life saving decisions in a very short space of time. ICU’s had to be prepared, hospital usage had to be altered and risks assessed. The decisions made were the right ones in the right time in the right situation. Thanks to more research, some new decisions can be made. Rest assured that no decision is made lightly and that the welfare of the patient is always at the heart of every clinician’s dilemma.

Whilst this study supports evidence that it is safe to have cancer treatment it must be remembered that you should still have a full discussion with your clinical team about your cancer and your cancer treatment. Some cancers (such as haematological malignancies) and some cancer treatments may carry greater risk than others.

I hope that this helps you if you are faced with a difficult decision about treatment. The full article can be found here and more information can be found at UK coronavirus cancer monitoring project - UKCCMP.