Keeping the Immune System Strong During Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Dr. Guntupalli explains that surgery can impair the immune response, and "ovarian cancer surgery, particularly a big debulking surgery, is very stressful on the body, which can put patients at risk for acquiring the COVID-19 infection," he says. "If someone in the operating room was unknowingly shedding the virus, it would be very concerning and very likely that the patient would get COVID-19."

More concerning, however, are patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. "We know for sure that those patients are going to be immunocompromised because that’s how chemotherapy worksit [affects] the cells within the bone which make all of our white blood cells and red blood cells and platelets. If patients are immunocompromised, they’re at much higher risk of developing an infection.” A weakened immune system means that infection with the new coronavirus is a greater risk as the body won’t be able to fight the viral invasion effectively.

The special challenges to the body’s immune system during chemotherapy and after cancer surgery make it extremely important that patients take steps to ensure their lifestyle is as healthy as possible to support the immune system. In fact, these steps are important at any stage of the cancer journey, especially during the pandemic, to maintain–and maybe even boost–immune system strength. Tips for keeping your immune system strong include:
• Getting enough healthy, restful sleep. Try for 7-8 hours of good quality sleep nightly.
• Not smoking.
• Avoiding foods that cause inflammation (simple sugars found in products such as cookies, cakes, candies, and soda)
• Eating a nutrient-rich diet of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean meats
• Striving for daily physical activity. During the pandemic choose exercises that can be done in and around the home such as push-ups and other calisthenics, short walks, indoor treadmills and stationery bicycles.

Despite the changes to cancer care necessitated by the pandemic, and the fact that many patients may have to check in with their doctors via tele-health visits at least temporarily, the oncologists SurvivorNet regularly consults assure us that cancer care isn't being compromised. In cities and hospitals that have been harder hit by the virus some doctors are delaying up-front surgery and giving patient a few more courses of chemotherapy until it's safer for them to undergo procedures. Or else they may be delaying chemotherapy or maintenance treatments like Avastin "so that patients don't have to come into the hospital to have labs done and get infusions, and potentially be exposed."

Other doctors tell SurvivorNet that they're being very thoughtful and careful about the type of chemotherapy they recommend. "We're fortunate that there are various treatment regimens that may decrease the risk of immune suppression, and that we can alter the chemo doses during this period of time," one doctor said.

If you're a newly diagnosed patient or you're undergoing treatment, speak with your provider to discuss the best approach for you, in the city where you live. At the end of the day, it's about informed decision making, and discussing potential risks (or benefits). Speak with your doctor, also, about specific lifestyle steps you can take to keep your immune system as strong as possible to ward off infection with the coronavirus.

 

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