⚠️ I have taken this verbatim from Bloodwise after the most recent announcement for anyone who reads this and has Splenic Lymphoma. Stay safe everyone!

Coronavirus update – 16/03/2020

Following the Prime Minister’s press conference on Monday, March 16, we have updated our advice on the coronavirus for people affected by blood cancer.

If you have blood cancer and have a weakened immune system, we now advise that you stay at home for the next 12 weeks. This is because the coronavirus can have more serious effects on people with a weakened immune system.

Those with a compromised immune system include:

• People having chemotherapy, or who’ve had chemotherapy in the last 3 months.

• People having immunotherapy or other antibody treatments for cancer.

• People having targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors.

• People who have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.

• People with some types of blood cancer which affect the immune system, such as chronic leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma, even if no treatment is being given.

If you’re not sure whether you have a compromised immune system, you should talk to your healthcare team as soon as possible to find out.

If you look after or live with someone who has blood cancer and has a compromised immune system, you should also consider staying at home for the next 12 weeks.

We understand that many people will be worried about the risk to their health, and about the prospect of being isolated in their home for so long. If you’d like more information, or just want someone to talk to, please call our free and confidential support line on 0808 2080 888 or email us at support@bloodwise.co.uk