As the lockdown has been a harrowing experience to most people around the world, all that they need is that breath of fresh air and that blowing wind on their face. It is undoubtedly a difficult phase for everyone, but it is those people who have been affected by the virus and being treated in hospitals who are going through the worst. Consider yourself blessed to be at home and have everything within your reach because thousand are suffering on the hospital beds. As they hyperventilate and gasp for more air into their lungs, there is another section of people who are already in a bad health condition with cancer cells developing within them. One of the hardest obstacles to overcome is helping these cancer patients fight this virus, which requires a whole lot of patience and proper care.

Supporting these patients is one of the biggest challenges in this desperate time. The immunocompromised patients often stay at the hospital for at least four weeks, and they need to be there for the treatment. This present situation has them confined in the hospital grounds for more than the usual period, and providing them with the essential treatment, mental support, and counseling services has become the primary duty of all doctors and healthcare workers. It will get worse for them if they catch Covid-19, which makes it imperative to keep them safe. Extra mental stress and physical pain would come with the virus, making it extremely difficult for them to endure the affliction. Let us have a look at the mental health challenges that the cancer patients are subject to during Covid-19.

Fear of Catching the Virus

Everyone who is in the hospitals getting treated for their tumor is terrified by the spreading virus, and why wouldn’t they be with such a condition revolving around them. Many patients who are immunocompromised and have suppressed immunity for the post-bone marrow transplant period are under high risk of being affected by the virus. Patients who are not in such adverse conditions are much more terrified about the situation of having not enough space in the hospitals to accommodate them. All of them are overwrought by the idea of not having sufficient facilities to treat everyone.The feeling of Being Alienated

Several cancer patients in hospitals are now undergoing transplants who need to be protected from any form of contact with other people.  This has only increased the stress for patients since they need their loved ones near them during the transplant; same is the case with their relatives. Since the hospital authorities cannot allow that, many of the patients are now in a bad mental state, further leading to low intake of food and reduced immunity. Such mental stresses are leading to psychosomatic issues developing within the patients; diarrhea, cough, headaches, muscle stiffness, and other stress-related problems are the results of this extra stress.

Covid-19 has undoubtedly set in a panic situation and is affecting everyone out there. These cancer patients have two conditions to worry about, and that is adding up more layers to their stress. But doctors and psychologists and working round the clock to relieve the mental stress and alleviate the physical pain of all the immunocompromised cancer patients.