Coronavirus and prostate problems: who is most at risk?

Having high blood pressure, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases is nowadays a very common situation in the Italian population and in industrialised countries.

These pathologies are more common in the elderly and seem to be largely associated with the most severe cases of COVID-19.

However, the 80% cases of coronavirus infections are mild and it would seem that this new virus can endanger even non-elderly or sick people.

Who are the individuals most at risk?

People over 65 years of age, individuals with lung diseases such as asthma, pregnant women, HIV-infected individuals.

Are there risks for people with prostate cancer?

The effects of coronavirus infection may be more severe for some people with prostate cancer.

These include:

• men undergoing chemotherapy or having received chemotherapy in the last three months
• men who have received drugs for clinical trials that regulate the immune system, such as olaparib (Lynparza®) or pembrolizumab (Keytruda®).

If you are receiving, or have recently had, one of these treatments, it is very important to follow expert advice on social distancing. This means avoiding contact with other people, including friends and family, as much as possible to reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus.

It is very likely that your doctor or nurse will limit the amount of time you need to spend in the hospital or doctor's surgery. For example, you will probably have appointments by phone, where possible, instead of visiting the hospital or having a face-to-face consultation. It may also be possible to have blood tests at home. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you are worried about your appointments.

If advice for people undergoing cancer treatment changes at any time, healthcare professionals and charities will take steps to ensure that patients have the latest information.