Dr. Meenu Walia summarises the salient points of the NHS and ASCO guidance on management of patients- newly diagnosed with cancer and those undergoing treatment. She also details on considerations for systemic anti-cancer therapy, surgery, and radiotherapy.

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The COVID-19 outbreak is still new to the present world and the information regarding its implications for cancer patients and their treatment is indeed limited. To add to the complexity, is also a fact that there is a nation-wide lockdown and events of disruption to several hospital services. However, cancer is also a life-threatening condition which should be dealt with early and treated holistically to avoid severe implications that might affect the patient’s disease status and overall quality of life.

During this unprecedented time, the need to access reliable information is paramount. Organisations like ASCO and NHS have published certain guidelines for oncologists to prioritise the treatment of those in need based on the services they are being catered with their risk, to prioritise their treatment plans.