#LCSM Chat last discussed COVID-19 and lung cancer in its April 2nd Chat. Much has changed in a mere four months. The USA has had about 4.5 million COVID-19 cases and over 150,000 deaths to date. We have a better understanding of some things related to COVID-19, yet we know more is unknown. The public’s patience with lockdowns and preventative measures wears thin. With each passing day, our necessary human social interactions become more distant, which is harmful to all in the lung cancer community. The strain on some hospitals and clinics has been extreme, and the stress on lung cancer patients, their families, and healthcare providers continues to be significant. Yet the pandemic is expected to last well into 2021.

Lung cancer patients (as well as the physicians and family members) fear COVID-19 infection may worsen the patient’s disease or symptoms, putting them at greater risk for complications, or even dying. Despite this, lung cancer patients still require diagnosis, therapy, and monitoring, and need appointments at a time when their clinic may be struggling.

Now that we have a somewhat better understanding of COVID-19 as well as perspective gained from experience, #LCSM Chat will tackle this topic again on August 6, 2020, at 8 pm Eastern time (5 pm Pacific.) Let’s share experiences, concerns, ideas, and hope with each other. Dr. Timothy Allen (@TimAllenMDJD) will moderate our discussion on the following questions:

• Are lung cancer patients at higher risk of getting COVID-19, or of having more severe symptoms?
• Is fear of COVID-19 keeping you or your family member from seeking care for lung cancer or other health conditions?
• Have you or your family member (or your patients) had problems getting lung cancer diagnosis, treatment or follow up because of COVID-19 concerns at your clinic?
• What are your greatest concerns about COVID-19 as a member of the lung cancer community?
• As the COVID-19 pandemic extends for many more months, how will this affect your outlook for lung cancer patients, and how can negative impacts be minimized?

Please join us, and bring your experiences and wisdom!  Remember to include #LCSM in ALL your tweets so the other chat participants can see them. You can read a primer on participating in the chat here.