In the era of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, protecting others, especially the most vulnerable - including those suffering from oncological diseases - should become a priority for society as a whole. The Onkocafe - Together Better Foundation, which extends care to patients struggling with cancer, encourages all Poles to become oncologists. How to get involved?
For nearly two years, the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has determined the functioning of societies in all countries of the world. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 280 million people have contracted COVID-19 worldwide, of whom more than 5.4 million have died. In Poland, the balance of the pandemic is equally worrying, with over 4 million people affected since the beginning of the pandemic, of whom nearly 95 000 have died as a direct result of the infection. Among the victims of the pandemic are also those who are most vulnerable - patients who face severe oncological diseases on a daily basis.
Oncology patients under special protection
Experts involved in the Oncoprotect campaign point out that in the case of patients with chronic diseases and oncology, receiving three doses of vaccination is not a guarantee of full protection. This is because many cancer patients struggle with a damaged immune system as a result of their chronic disease and therapy. Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and haematological patients affected by leukaemia and lymphoma are most at risk. Data from the UK shows that the risk of death in a cancer patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 is as high as 24 per cent. How can we protect the most vulnerable? First and foremost, get vaccinated.
- Vaccinated, young and healthy individuals, even if they become infected with SARS-CoV-2, are generally mildly or even asymptomatic through the infection. It has been proven that patients with mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 produce and 'spread' significantly fewer virus particles in their environment than symptomatic individuals. If they additionally use a surgical mask or FFP2 indoors, the chances are that they will not infect anyone else. So let's be responsible. Let's take all doses of vaccine, wear protective masks, keep our distance Because we can never be sure if the person next to us in the underground car isn't just getting chemotherapy. What may cause a simple cold and a runny nose for us, may be the proverbial nail in the coffin for a person fighting cancer, experts say.
Be an oncoprotector
The Onkopomocnik.pl campaign encourages Poles to become real supporters of oncology patients and take responsibility for building up the population immunity so important for those who, due to their condition, cannot be vaccinated or their immune response to vaccination is insufficient to give them full protection.
- As part of society, we are responsible for each other. If, given the chance to be vaccinated against a disease from which millions have died, we nevertheless choose not to do so, we are acting recklessly and selfishly. We never know who our actions may affect and who may need our help in the near future. Life is unpredictable. In no situation can we think - It doesn't affect me! It is possible that one day we may find ourselves in the role of carer of a chronically ill person and another person's standard of living may depend on us. In order to relieve his or her mental health, let's make sure that they don't have to worry about our state of health and that we don't possibly infect them as well," argue the campaign organisers.
Visit Onkopomocnik.co.uk and find out more.