Cancer and COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

In early 2020, the World Health Organization declared the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. A pandemic is the spread of a new disease around the world. Today, most people infected with COVID-19 will have mild illness with symptoms similar to a cold. But some people can become very ill and need to see a doctor or be admitted to the hospital. If you have cancer, you may be at risk of more serious illness from COVID-19. It’s important to understand how to reduce your risk of getting the virus.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Canada, including detailed information on symptoms and how it spreads, visit canada.ca/coronavirus.

Are people with cancer at a higher risk from COVID-19?

Yes. If you have cancer, you are at a higher risk for more serious illness from COVID-19. This is because cancer and some cancer treatments can weaken your immune system and make it harder for you to fight infections.

If you're at higher risk, it's even more important that you reduce your risk of getting the virus. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk, your medical history and your cancer treatment plan. Your healthcare provider is your best source of information if you have questions about personal protective measures and the COVID-19 vaccine.

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing
• a new or worsening cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• fever, chills
• fatigue or weakness
• muscle or body aches
• new loss of smell or taste
• headache
• abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting

If you start having symptoms of COVID-19:

• Stay at home to recover. You don’t need to go to the hospital if symptoms are mild.
• Try to stay in a separate room if you live with other people to avoid getting them sick.
• Follow any instructions you receive from your healthcare provider.
• Call 911 if you develop severe symptoms and need immediate medical attention.

If you’re being treated for cancer and you develop a fever, a cough or breathing problems, call your healthcare team. Follow their advice on whether you should seek medical care.

Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have cancer?

Talk to your healthcare team about whether getting vaccinated is right for you.

Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to make antibodies to fight a disease. If your immune system has been weakened (you are immunosuppressed) due to your cancer type or cancer treatment, talk to your healthcare team about a COVID-19 vaccine. They will be able to determine if the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for you.

Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is offered to people who are immunosuppressed and who meet the required age for use. But the vaccine may not be able to stimulate your immune system well enough to protect against COVID-19. It’s important to talk to your healthcare team about which of the approved COVID-19 vaccines is right for you and about the best timing of the doses based on your unique circumstance.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccines.

Will any of the medicines that I take affect my ability to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

It is important to tell your healthcare team about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines. Your healthcare team can help you make an informed decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Where on my body should I get vaccinated if I have lymphedema or have had lymph nodes removed from under my arm?

If you have lymphedema in your arm or have had lymph nodes removed from under your arm (lymph node dissection), you should get vaccinated in the other arm. People with lymphedema are at increased risk for infection and should avoid vaccinations in the affected arm. If you have lymphedema in both arms, your thigh can be used as an alternate injection site for the vaccine. 

Tell the person who is giving your vaccine that you have or have had lymphedema or that you’ve had lymph nodes removed. They will help make sure you get the needle stick in the correct, unaffected limb.

Where am I more at risk of getting COVID-19?

Settings and situations that increase your risk of getting COVID-19 include those that:

• are small
• are crowded
• have poor ventilation (the indoor air is not exchanged with outdoor air)
• have people visiting for long periods of time
• have people singing, shouting or breathing heavily (for example, during exercise)

What other steps can I take to protect myself and those around me from COVID-19?

You can protect yourself and those around you by following these steps:

• Get vaccinated and stay up to date with booster doses.
• Wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, not your hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are feeling sick.
• Improve ventilation indoors by opening windows and doors.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
• Use cleaning products to disinfect objects and surfaces you commonly touch, such as toilets, light switches, doorknobs, countertops, phones, television remotes and toys.

How can a mask protect me?

Wearing a mask over your mouth and nose helps reduce the spread of germs that you may breathe in or breathe out.

You should wear a mask if:

• You’re in a public space and you have an underlying medical condition, like cancer.
• You’re in a crowded or poorly ventilated area.
• You think you might have COVID-19 and you are around other people.
• You’re around someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19.

There are different types of masks. No matter what kind of mask you wear, it should be well-fitting, properly worn and made of multiple layers. A non-medical mask that fits well and has multiple layers, including a middle filter layer, can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. But the effectiveness of non-medical masks varies. A medical mask or an N95 respirator mask offers better protection.

Are people who smoke at a higher risk for COVID-19?

If you smoke, you may be at a higher risk for more serious outcomes of COVID-19. Smoking tobacco weakens your lungs and puts you at a higher risk of lung and chest infections. Smoking also weakens your immune system, which makes it harder for you to fight infections.

Quitting is a personal experience and everyone who smokes quits a little bit differently. For support with quitting smoking, visit cancer.ca/quitlines or call 1-866-366-3667 for a live quit coach.

Are people who vape or use e-cigarettes at a higher risk for COVID-19?

If you vape or use e-cigarettes, you may be at a higher risk for more serious outcomes of COVID-19. Vaping or using e-cigarettes harms your lungs and weakens your immune system’s ability to fight respiratory infections like COVID-19.