Many cancer patients in Japan are growing concerned about their vulnerability to the novel coronavirus after the recent death of an actress highlighted the risk of treatment weakening the immune system against infection.
The death last month of Kumiko Okae, 63, following a battle with breast cancer, has fueled anxiety after her office released a statement saying her COVID-19 symptoms may have become serious due to radiation therapy affecting her immune system.
"When I see people shopping with their family members at supermarkets, I am tempted to tell them, 'Your careless acts are risking our lives,'" said a woman in her 50s, who underwent surgery to treat a digestive system cancer in March and has since been taking medication for the disease.