Cancer Doctor at Desert Regional Medical Center urges patients not to let pandemic stop them from receiving life-saving treatments
Doctors are urging cancer patients not to let the coronavirus pandemic stop them from receiving life-saving treatment.
News Channel 3's Caitlin Thropay met with a cancer doctor from Desert Regional Medical Center on the topic of treating cancer patients during this time.
“Cancer has to be our priority because that’s the thing we know is going to take their life," Dr. Judy Jackson, a radiation oncologist at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center told News Channel 3. "It’s not an if but a known," she added.
Jackson said cancer is not going to stop for COVID-19 so they continue to treat their patients.
“All of our cancer surgeries are occurring," she said. "They’re occurring right on time and as scheduled. We are providing chemotherapy. Nothing has ever stopped for our patients,” she said.
For their patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation, it’s crucial they avoid being exposed to the virus because of their compromised immune system.
“Wear your mask, avoid crowds, and remind your families to do so as well because it’s so important they don’t bring that home to them,” she said.
The Desert Care Network is continuing to diagnose cancer. Jackson stresses the importance of not letting this pandemic hold you back from seeing a doctor.
“We are having people call us and say, ‘I have a change in my breast and think I should wait until the COVID epidemic is passed,’ and that can’t happen," Jackson said. "We don’t have an end in sight for this right now. People need to come in,” she said.
Jackson also wants to give people peace of mind when coming in for treatment or checkups.
“We’re doing everything in our power to keep our facilities, our machines our nurse's stations and waiting rooms clean," she said. "We are washing them hourly,” she added.
Jackson explained what the biggest issue is they're navigating right now.
“Our biggest complaint right now is that we can’t bring family in with us and we’re trying really hard to call them or video conference them afterward to make sure we kept the family completely in the loop with the treatment,” she explained.
“Believe it or not, we’re treating a lot of emotions right now," Jackson said. "A lot of upset patients, a lot of upset families, and we provide constant reassurance to them because I don’t want to miss that opportunity to cure that patient,” she added.
The big thing to know is that health professionals are ready to take care of you no matter how this pandemic plays out.
“If you start getting symptoms, you need to call us. We’re here," Jackson said. "It may seem chaotic because of COVID at the hospital and in the ER but we’re here. We’re working. We’re here for you,” she reassured.
For more information on the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center and their treatments visit: https://desertcancercenter.com
In addition, the American Cancer Society published an online article on the common questions about the coronavirus related to cancer patients. You can find that article here.
