Coronavirus Information

This page is updated regularly as further information becomes available

We shall be using this page to post useful links and information about COVID-19 where appropriate, which we hope might be helpful for those with bladder cancer. 

If you have bladder cancer, you may be worried about how COVID-19 will affect you. You should follow the advice of your bladder cancer healthcare team, and contact them if you have concerns.  

Those with cancer may be at a higher risk of infection, so please follow the advice to help reduce the risk of getting coronavirus. 


COVID-19 VACCINE AND BCG TREATMENT FOR BLADDER CANCER

We are currently consulting regarding any updates on this information.

Action Bladder Cancer UK sought guidance in 2020/2021 on the usage of the COVID-19 vaccine for bladder cancer patients who are either waiting to start a course of BCG treatment, have just finished a course of BCG, or are currently part-way through a course of BCG. 

Whilst there is, as yet, no clinical evidence on which to base formal guidance (given the swift development of the COVID-19 vaccines), our consultations with leading clinicians in the UK have resulted in the following suggested guidance based on clinical practice with the usage of vaccines with BCG treatment, which we feel is a practical response .  Our suggested guidance:

  • It is advisable for a 2 week wait following the COVID-19 vaccine before starting BCG treatment.
  • It is advisable for a 2 week wait following BCG treatment before you have the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • It is advisable for patients on a 6 week course of BCG to wait for 2 weeks after finishing the whole course before they have the COVID-19 vaccine
  • If symptoms from your last BCG treatment persist beyond 2 weeks, it is advisable to avoid having the COVID-19 vaccine until these symptoms have settled.
  • Although prolonged symptoms from the COVID-19 vaccine are rare, it is advisable to delay the start of BCG until any such symptoms have settled.

As always, ABC UK would suggest you always check with your own medical team if you have any further questions.


DIRECT PATIENT SUPPORT

ABC UK provides direct patient support by telephone or email. 

email: info@actionbladdercanceruk.org

Telephone: 0300 302 0085


 ABC UK COVID-19 PATIENT SURVEYS

ABC UK ran two patient surveys in 2020 and 2021 to try to get information on how COVID-19 was impacting those with bladder cancer, and also what affect it was having on their treatments.  You can read the results of these surveys on our ABC UK research pages here: 

We shall be running further patient surveys in the future.


Well-Being - ABC UK's Information sheet:WELL BEING Bladder Cancer and Covid-19.pdf

Finance and Covid-19 - ABC UK's Information sheet  on money concerns: ABC UK Finance and Covid-19.pdf

 


USEFUL LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION

NHS Information on Coronavirus - www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

NHS 11 online - if you are showing symptoms of Coronavirushttps://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/

CANCER RESEARCH UK - useful information for cancer patients and Covid-19: 

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/coronavirus-and-cancer

Information from BAUS (British Association of Urological Surgeons) for bladder cancer patientswww.baus.org.uk/patients/covid19_patient_information.aspx 

Government Information - What you need to do: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Government guidance on shielding and protecting vulnerable persons from Covid-19:   https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Government guidance on social distancinghttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults



BLADDER CANCER INFORMATION

There is a lot of information about bladder cancer on our website and we also have a range of leaflets and information sheets.  All of these are available online on our Resources page www.actionbladdercanceruk.org/resources/ or we can post you printed copies.


PATIENT SUPPORT GROUPS MEETING FACE TO FACE

It is important to consider the vulnerability of those with bladder cancer and follow any advice to socially distance or self-isolate.  

Whilst, the majority of support groups cancelled face to face meetings in 2020 and much of 2021, groups have started to meet up face to face over the past months.  We endeavour to keep theinformation on groups up to date on our support group page: www.actionbladdercanceruk.org/find-a-support-group/   However, please do let us know if this is not correct, or if there is new information to add.  If you are a nurse or a patient and would like our help to get a group restarted - or indeed to start a brand new one up - please just get in touch, there is a lot we can do to assist you -  at info@actionbladdercanceruk.org


 A group of cancer charities have issued this information sheet about cancer patients and coronavirus (this is not specific to bladder cancer patients but you may find some useful frequently asked questions): 

 Advice on Coronavirus for people with cancer 10 Mar 20.pdf

 

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