Adults who survived childhood cancer are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, says new study

Those who have survived cancer as children are at greater risk of developing severe Kovid -19 even after decades of their diagnosis. It is shown by a new study by the Karolinska Institute published in the journal Lancet Regional Health,

Thanks to medical advances, more and more children are avoiding cancer. However, even after the end of treatment, health risks may remain. In a new registry study, researchers examined how adults People left from childhood cancer The Kovid -19 in Sweden and Denmark was influenced by the epidemic.

The study included over 13,000 people, who were detected cancer before the age of 20 and were at least 20 years old when the epidemic began. They were compared to both brothers and siblings and randomly selected persons from the population of the same gender and year of birth.

Results suggest that people survived by childhood cancer had low risk of contracting Covid-19, but if they became infected, the probability of developing serious illness was 58% higher. Severe covid-19 was defined as a patient receiving the patient hospital care, intensive care Or death related to infection.

“It is important to understand that even though these individuals were not infected more often, the results of Envarying Instruments and the study at the Institute of Environmental Medicine say,” says Javier Loro, a postdotoral researcher of the Institute of Environmental Medicine and the first writer of the study at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Karolinska Institute The first writer of Javier Loro says.

The difference in risk during the period of high transmission was particularly clear, such as when new virus variants such as alpha and omikron spread rapidly. Where in Sweden, where pandemic Management was more based on recommendations than restrictions, the increase in risk was higher than that of Denmark, which introduced early and strict measures.

“Our results suggest that people survived by childhood cancer should be considered a risk group in future epidemic or other health crises. This may involve prioritizing them for vaccination or offering special safety during a period of high transmission,” says Loro.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Danish Cancer Institute.