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COVID-19 and Cancer

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals. Four common coronaviruses cause the common cold; several other coronaviruses cause more serious disease. One of these is a novel (new) coronavirus that spreads from person to person and has caused a pandemic of respiratory disease. The virus has been named SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes has been named coronavirus disease 2019, which is abbreviated COVID-19.

COVID-19 has affected daily life around the globe, and the challenges it poses can be particularly difficult for people with cancer and their loved ones. Many patients have questions about COVID-19, how the public health emergency may affect their cancer care, and what NCI is doing to respond to the pandemic.

NCI Information Specialists are available to help answer your questions about coronavirus and cancer Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ET.

  • COVID-19: What People with Cancer Should Know

    Some cancers and cancer treatments may increase your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Learn how people with cancer can protect themselves and what they should do if they have symptoms of a COVID-19 infection.

  • Steve Pergam Getting Vaccine

    COVID-19 Vaccines and People with Cancer

    Are there some cancer patients who should not get a COVID-19 vaccine? Do COVID-19 vaccines make cancer treatment less effective? Can COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer? This page answers these and other questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

  • Female scientist working on virus vaccines

    NCI COVID-19 Research Initiatives

    There is a lot to learn about how COVID-19 affects people, including those with cancer, and how to treat the disease. NCI is mobilizing its scientific experts and cutting-edge resources to conduct research on COVID-19.

  • Male patient and female doctor wearing masks view a tablet together.

    NCI-Supported Clinical Trials for Coronavirus

    NCI supports clinical trials for patients with COVID-19.

  • News from NCI about COVID-19

    Stay up to date on the latest news from NCI about the measures taken to help meet patients’ needs and to keep the nation’s cancer research enterprise operating to the fullest extent possible.

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