The Cancer Letter

The leading source for information on the issues that shape oncology since 1973

COVID-19 Updates

Breast cancer patient featured in The Cancer Letter receives testing for COVID-19, awaits results

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Last week, The Cancer Letter spoke with Janice Cowden, a patient with metastatic breast cancer and symptoms of COVID-19—who was denied testing despite being especially vulnerable to the disease (The Cancer Letter, March 20).

Cowden has since received two tests for COVID-19—a nasopharyngeal swab at a curbside clinic, and a throat pharyngeal swab at the office of her primary care physician. She has yet to receive the results of either test.

Prior to developing symptoms, Cowden had attended a fundraiser with about 300 people—including dozens of women with metastatic breast cancer.

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