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You are here: Home1 / Resources2 / COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors

COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors

NCCS has heard from many survivors who feel uniquely vulnerable due to their history of cancer treatments. And we have heard from people currently in treatment, who are worried about delays in care and navigating a stressed health care system.

We’re partnering and consulting with several cancer organizations and experts to address the questions and concerns survivors have shared.

Frequently Asked Clinical Questions

NCCS and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) are working together to provide information about how coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) could potentially affect the health and cancer care of people diagnosed with cancer.

Click the link below to find answers to cancer survivors’ frequently asked clinical questions about COVID-19 from ASCO Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President Dr. Richard Schilsky.

Richard Schilsky, MD, FACP, FSCT, FASCO, and NCCS CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso

NCCS - National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

Common Questions about COVID-19 and Cancer: Answers for Patients and Survivors »

We will continue sharing survivors’ clinical questions with ASCO, so if you have questions that are NOT answered here, please let us know.

CancerConvos

NCCS Podcast Hosts Health Care Experts Who Address Coronavirus’ Impact on Cancer Survivors

Listen to NCCS’ podcast, Cancer Convos, for more insights on COVID-19 and its impact on cancer patients and survivors. Subscribe to Cancer Convos on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

How Survivors Can Cope With the Anxiety of COVID-19

Answered by L. Imani Price, PhD.

Dr. L. Imani Price is a licensed psychologist at Women’s InnerFitness and Wellness Center and serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at Breast Care for Washington, D.C.

Dr. Price suggests this expert advice:

Many survivors are experiencing stress, anxiety, and PTSD from the new expectations and restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These uncertain times can lead to feelings of helplessness and a lack of control over one’s life. This may trigger thoughts of stressful events of the past with worries about one’s health or that of loved ones.

Although experiencing some levels of anxiety and fear can be expected, we do have some control over our lives, despite the global restrictions from the pandemic.

While learning to live indoors:

  1. Develop a routine or schedule for your time, which includes the time you will wake up, time for movement/exercise, regular check-ins with friends, and regular family activities. Having a schedule can help center your emotions and give you a sense of control over your life.
  2. Take a breath. Deep breathing helps reduce stress in the body, reduces muscle tension, and calms the mind. It also increases the flow of oxygen to the brain, which helps with clarity, memory, and wellbeing. You can use DVDs or apps for exercising, find free breathing or meditation apps (Insight Timer or Calm) for techniques, or walk around your home or yard and climb stairs for movement.
  3. Stay in touch with the people you love with virtual communication and telephone calls. Use your time to start a daily conference or virtual call through a free conference or virtual call company with friends for a book club; Bible Study; prayer; or start a recipe exchange club where members alternate bringing new recipes to the group, cook it at the same time, and share the outcomes.
  4. Start a new hobby or learn a new skill. Embrace your creativity to help with mental acuity, expression, and entertainment. Let your creative self shine with these few suggestions and anything else your thoughts will lead you to do.

Watch our webinar on stress and anxiety featuring Dr. Price:

Food Pickup and Delivery Program for Cancer Patients

Team Rubicon, in collaboration with Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) and funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, have partnered to provide emergency food pick-up and delivery assistance to those who have cancer, multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, and have been affected by COVID-19.

Team Rubicon’s Greyshirts are committed to fulfilling emergency food pick-up and delivery assistance. Due to overwhelming response to the program, response times may be delayed by up to 30 days.

If you’re in need of immediate food assistance, you can find regional Food Banks at https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank or a nearby food pantry at https://whyhunger.org/map.php.

Team Rubicon 800x800

Apply for Food Pickup and Delivery Assistance Now at teamrubiconusa.org »

Helpline for Cancer Support

The Cancer Support Community (CSC) Cancer Support Helpline is staffed by counselors and resource specialists who have extensive years of experience helping people affected by cancer. Counselors and resource specialists can be reached by phone at 1-888-793-9355 or live chat from Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET.

Resources About Loss of Health Coverage

This blog on COVID-19 by Karen Pollitz at Kaiser Family Foundation outlines what you can do about losing health coverage during this crisis.

For information about transitioning from job based coverage to other forms of coverage (including Medicaid and COBRA), see these resources:

  • Health coverage options if you’re unemployed
  • Losing Job-based Coverage
  • Medicaid & CHIP coverage
  • COBRA coverage and the Marketplace
  • COBRA Continuation Coverage Questions and Answers
  • Complex Case Scenarios – Preventing Gaps in Health Care Coverage Mini-Series: Transitioning from Employer-Sponsored Coverage to Other Health Coverage – June 5, 2015 (slides)

For information on Special Enrollment Periods, see here:

  • Enroll in or change 2020 plans — only with a Special Enrollment Period

For updated guidance on grace periods for binder and premium payments see here:

  • Payment and Grace Period Flexibilities Associated with the COVID-19 National Emergency

Additional Resources

  • “Coronavirus: What Cancer Patients Need to Know”
    Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
  • “Coronavirus: What People with Cancer Should Know”
    National Cancer Institute
  • “Coronavirus 2019: What People With Cancer Need to Know”
    American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Cancer.Net
  • ASCO – Coronavirus Resources
    ASCO.org
  • “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.”
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Questions About Coronavirus?

NCCS is seeking answers from public health experts on the coronavirus and its impact on cancer patients and survivors. Please contact us at www.canceradvocacy.org/contact with any questions or concerns you have and what data would be helpful to you as we gather this information.

NCCS COVID-19 resources are sponsored in part by The Pfizer Foundation.

Resources

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    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
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Latest News

HHS Humphrey bldg 1200

NCCS, Cancer Groups Urge CMS to Withdraw Most Favored Nation (MFN) Medicare Part B Rule That Will Harm Patients and Reduce Access to Care

December 22, 2020
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) joined other member organizations…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HHS-Humphrey-bldg-1200.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2020-12-22 20:27:262021-01-04 21:38:15NCCS, Cancer Groups Urge CMS to Withdraw Most Favored Nation (MFN) Medicare Part B Rule That Will Harm Patients and Reduce Access to Care
NCCS Letter to HHS

NCCS Letter to HHS: Proposed Regulatory Review Rule Would Create Unnecessary Uncertainty for Patients

December 9, 2020
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) recently submitted comments…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/HHS-Humphrey-bldg-1200-1030x515-1.jpg 515 1030 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2020-12-09 17:30:502020-12-10 08:22:55NCCS Letter to HHS: Proposed Regulatory Review Rule Would Create Unnecessary Uncertainty for Patients
HHS Humphrey bldg 1200

NCCS Opposes Most Favored Nation (MFN) Rule: New Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model Will Harm Patients

December 3, 2020
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) opposes the Most Favored Nation…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/HHS-Humphrey-bldg-1200.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2020-12-03 21:26:462020-12-03 21:28:06NCCS Opposes Most Favored Nation (MFN) Rule: New Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model Will Harm Patients

Take Action

Stovall Award

The Ellen L. Stovall Award for Innovation in Patient-Centered Cancer Care is a unique opportunity for patients and survivors to recognize pioneers who are transforming the cancer care system.

Join CPAT

The NCCS Cancer Policy & Advocacy Team (CPAT) is a program for survivors and caregivers to learn about pressing policy issues that affect quality cancer care in order to be engaged as advocates in public policy around the needs of cancer survivors.

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NCCS represents the millions of Americans who share a common experience – the survivorship experience – living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

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  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership
      • Policy Advisors
    • Employment
    • Partnerships
    • Financial Information
  • Policy
    • Quality Cancer Care
    • Access to Care
    • Health Equity
    • Redefining Functional Status (RFS)
    • 2020 State of Cancer Survivorship Survey
    • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)
  • Get Involved
    • What is Advocacy?
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
    • Elevating Survivorship
    • Survivor Stories
    • Cancerversary
    • State Based Cancer Advocacy
  • Resources
    • Survivorship Checklist
    • Cancer Survival Toolbox
    • Telehealth
    • Publications
      • Talking With Your Doctor
      • Self Advocacy
      • Employment Rights
      • Remaining Hopeful
    • Taking Charge of Your Care
    • Care Planning for Cancer Survivors
    • Tools For Care Providers
    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
    • Order Our Resources
  • News
    • Cancer Convos Podcast
  • Events
    • Ellen L. Stovall Award
      • 2020 Stovall Awards
      • Honorees
      • Sponsors
      • Committees
      • Reception
      • Nominations
    • Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Fall 2020 Cancer Policy Roundtable
      • Spring 2020 Cancer Policy Roundtable
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Symposium 2020
    • Webinars
  • Contact Us

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Harmar Brereton, MD

Founder
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

 

“Perhaps one of the most impactful collaborations in Dr. Brereton’s extraordinary career remains his early work and long friendship with Ellen Stovall. Through him, and in turn through the thousands of lives he has touched, Ellen’s work continues, and her mission lives on.”

—Karen M. Saunders
President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute