R We considered at risk for corona?

Everything that I hear about the at risk population says, over 60 and with underlying health issues. I’m undetectable currently but G9. I’m 65 but feel great. I was supposed to travel (fly) to Seattle to see my granddaughter on March 17th. I’m meeting with my oncologist this Thursday and will ask the same question. What would you guys do? Go? No Go?

I'd avoid flying for the next couple of weeks. Major ports of entry to the US, like Seattle are the hotspots and the virus vectors out from those points. I'd also avoid LA, SF and Portland areas on the west coast.

Us dudes over 60 are at the highest risk of dying form the virus.

If you could get there by car, maybe. Depends how important it is to see the granddaughter now.

Andrew

It appears the people at most risk to have a severe case are those with chronic conditions like COPD, diabetes, kidney disease, heart and lung problems and those that are immune-compromised, such as currently using chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Also those above age 80 are particularly hard hit. But remember that overall we lose about 10% of those over 80 each year without Covid-19. I don’t think the PCa in and of itself is a significant issue, but the treatment one is currently undergoing could be.

I would not go to these areas on the west coast at the present time echoing others statements. One son lives in the Eugene-Springfield, Oregon area. We normally go there in June and also travel around the area, but not to Seattle. Far too early now to determine our visit this year.

My read on this is that we are likely to see a rapid increase in cases in the US particularly as we test more. That will give us a better statistical basis. Right now none of the numbers in the US mean anything and are not useful in making forecasts. I also expect the rate of death in most people will be similar to the flu. Remember, the flu primarily takes the infirm and elderly anyway, not much difference than we are seeing with CV. Some children are affected, but few. The CDC reports about 120 childhood deaths this flu season about of some 20,000 overall so far.

short answer is yes.

we haven't really tested for Covid-19 in the USA but if we follow the models of countries that have we'd know the virus is more widespread than we are being told.

https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/dr-fauci-don-t-get-on-a-cruise-ship-if-you-have-an-underlying-health-condition-80267845706

I learned today that British authorities are advising Britons not to travel to quarantined areas of Italy, and U.S. government is now first saying best to avoid cruises. YAH THINK???? I have no words for this prescient leadership.

Djin

manich said...
My treatment plan hasn't been decided yet. Need a pelvic MRI to determine if I need HT. Does anyone know if ADT, etc. lower one's immune system? Just another reason I want to try mono-therapy, CyberKnife only.

i'd put my prostate cancer ahead of CV unless you are just looking for a way out of ADT.

Munich,

I just reviewed several NCBI studies and papers regarding the effects of ADT on the immune system regarding susceptibility to other diseases due to a suppressed or diminished immune response. Couldn’t find anything. They all look at the immune system response to the PCa and effective of combining immunotherapy. I found nothing that warns of diminished immune system ability to fight infections and disease due to ADT.

Regarding radiation therapy, the concern is extensive radiation to the large bones that could diminish the blood replenishing and production of white blood cells, but nothing specific to PCa radiation.

It is well established that cytotoxic chemotherapy most often has a negative effect on the immune system leaving people with diminished ability to fight infections and more susceptible to colds and flu.

I see nothing regarding the Covid-19 that should in any way alter your ADT and SBRT treatment plans. What do your doctors say? We know what happens with PCa and various treatment choices. Follow that body of knowledge and disregard what we don’t know, but may fear, regarding Covid-19. And human nature, being what it is, if you really don’t want ADT, then when the Covid-19 situation is behind us, you will find some other concern. My suggestion is simple, follow the suggestions by the doctors you have chosen and trust. If the consensus and standard of care includes ADT, then do it. Simple.

Reports of deaths here always add the phrase "all correspond to advanced age with other pathologies cases". I wonder what ... does this mean. 95 and terminally ill or 65 with slight hypertension?

Madrid, it includes both of those. Certainly the 95 year old is more vulnerable to most everything due to age. One of the significant risk factors is hypertension, regardless of age. One-third of American adults have hypertension.

So far as is reported, the very severe cases and deaths are primarily among the elderly, which I term the over 75 bunch. Of course there are younger, but not nearly as significant based on reports. While it is easy to see the up to date statistics on cases, new cases, recoveries, and deaths; I have not seen a good breakdown on ages of deaths, other than some broad reports that are more anecdotal. As usual China has not provided good information and that is where the bulk of cases and deaths have been. So far Italy has experienced a higher rate of death than most and it is the oldest European country, so age is showing to be a significant determinant of outcome. Probably about 2/3 of the USA deaths are very elderly associated with the Life Center nursing home in Washington.

Yes Buddy, the CDC broad brush general high risk starts at age 60, and /or those with significant underlying conditions regardless of age. The question from Madrid and my answer, had to do with relative risk based on age. The older one is increases the risk for most every condition, including Covid-19. My 91 year old mother in law is at a higher risk of having a severe case and potential death than me, and I am at a higher risk than my sons. Let’s keep this in proper perspective.

As to rates of death based on age, I found an early study from Hubei CDC that reported the rate of death for ages 60-70 was 3%, the rate for ages 70-80 was 8% and the rate over age 80 was 14.8%. This was on the first 2,000 or so deaths. Information from the Life Center in Washington is similar based on the reports. So, clearly age is a very significant factor and the differences by age are very significant, basically doubling the rate of death by decade.

Buddy Blank said...


I also don't need to you to tell me what the proper perspective should, or shouldn't, be. My wife already has that job.

Ad in local paper: "For Sale: complete set of the Encyclopedia Britannica. No longer needed -- have husband who knows everything."

I fly every other week for work. Saturday morning they sent a email to us to cancel our next two weeks of visits and our March and April area meetings where we get about 20-30 people together for 6 hours or so.

I was thinking about pulling a Ted Cruz and self quarantining myself since I was in a town that just popped up 3 cases. Just kidding, but it is a pretty happy thought to get to work from home for a while.