The latest data, published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum, affirms that the cancer itself and its impact on the body may be exacerbating the infection. Previous studies have found the higher risk of COVID-19 complications for cancer patients is partly due to factors such as older age, higher smoking rates, co-morbidities, frequent health care exposures and the effects of cancer treatments. "We really need to be thinking about race as a significant factor in trying to get people vaccinated as soon as we can," Maxwell said. Numerous analyses have shown Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. Black cancer patients were more than twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19. The researchers also found that the proportion of Black patients who had COVID-19 was higher in both cancer and non-cancer patients when compared to all patients who tested positive for the coronavirus. Though an active cancer status was associated with worse outcomes, patients in remission were still found to be significantly at risk when compared to those COVID-19 patients without cancer. Of the 328 positive cases through June, 67% had a cancer diagnosis in their medicine history and 73% had an inactive cancer. In an analysis of more than 4,800 Penn Medicine patients, COVID-19 patients who had either active or inactive cancer had higher rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit admissions and 30-day mortality compared to non-cancer patients. All oncology patients need to take significant precautions during the pandemic to protect themselves." "That message has been out there, but these latest findings show us it's not only for patients hospitalized or on treatment for their cancer. Maxwell, an assistant professor of hematology-oncology and genetics. "Patients who have cancer need to be careful not to become exposed during this time," said Dr. Opioid overdoses are killing more Black Philadelphians, but fewer white residents.Yurts, igloos and pop-up domes: How safe is 'outside' restaurant dining this winter?.Entering menopause before age 40 often results in more severe symptoms.The new data highlights the importance of social distancing, mask wearing and vaccinations for all patients - not just those recently diagnosed or those with active disease, the Penn researchers said. Now, new research from Penn Medicine shows that people whose cancer is in remission also are at higher risk.Įarlier studies had focused on hospitalized patients who were undergoing treatment for active cancer. Oncologists have been concerned about their patients' vulnerabilities to severe COVID-19 since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.