Since the start of the pandemic, there have
been major concerns on access to health consultation and services, with
immediate care not easily available for critical non-COVID-19 cases, such as
cancer management. According to JCO Global Oncology, an American Society of
Clinical Oncology Journal, apart from being at high-risk of worse outcomes with
COVID-19, cancer patients are also experiencing disruptions and delays in
delivery of health services.
Given the current challenges in health care,
AXA Philippines, one of the country's leading insurance providers, shares
useful tips to help cancer patients navigate through the pandemic:
Practice prevention protocols. We've all heard it many times
before, but the adage "prevention is better than the cure" is more
relevant now more than ever, especially for cancer patients. They should
continue to practice the mandatory protocols against COVID-19 such as washing
hands regularly, cleaning and disinfecting daily, limiting guests, and staying
at home as much as possible. Aside from that, they also must live a healthy
lifestyle so as not to worsen their condition. Among the simple lifestyle
changes they can make include getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep, eating a
well-balanced diet, exercising daily, managing stress, and avoiding
environmental toxins like tobacco and nicotine from smoking.
Consult from home. With hospitals at full
capacity and becoming a hotbed for the deadly virus, Philippine cancer
organizations recommend that cancer patients avoid hospitals in the meantime
and instead use teleconsultation. A short delay may be considered except in
cases of emergencies where it's recommended to schedule surgery or check-up
within 8 to 18 weeks.
Get vaccinated (upon advice of doctor). The Philippine Society of
Medical Oncology strongly recommends cancer patients to get vaccinated as soon
as possible. Current studies show that unvaccinated cancer patients have a
higher risk of COVID-19 complications and death. Getting inoculated provides
protection from severe COVID-19 conditions, hospitalization, and death. But
before getting vaccinated, cancer patients must get clearance from their
medical oncologist and health care team, as not all cases may be approached
similarly.
Find a network of support. Having a network of
supportive people is beneficial for one's health, mentally and emotionally.
According to experts, a support network can give cancer patients a better
quality of life. Family and close circle of friends are real sources of comfort
and strength for cancer patients, especially in navigating the challenges of
the pandemic when getting medical treatment is more crucial but can be more
difficult.
Pandemic or not, having cancer puts one
in a difficult situation – physically, emotionally, and financially. To protect
yourself and your family from the financial impact of critical illnesses like
cancer, AXA Philippines offers Health Start, a health insurance plan that
provides coverage from the top three critical illnesses — cancer, heart attack,
and stroke, and some of their early-stage conditions at an affordable price. It
has a variant with built-in coverage for the child of the insured against some
critical conditions for minors. Portion of the premiums paid of the policy
holder will also be returned at the age of 75, less any benefit paid, as a
reward for living a healthy life. And in case of untimely demise, the family
will receive a life insurance benefit to help them take care of their needs.
To know more about Health Start, visit
https://www.axa.com.ph/healthstart.
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