Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The centre grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. A study analyzed 2007 COVID-19 cases in China, finding that 18 (1%) had a history of cancer, higher than the general population's cancer rate. Cancer patients were older, more likely to smoke, and had more severe baseline CT findings. They had a higher risk of severe outcomes, including ICU admission and death, compared to non-cancer patients. Chemotherapy or surgery in the past month increased the risk of severe events. Cancer history was the highest risk factor for severe events. The study suggests that cancer patients are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and worse outcomes. Three strategies are proposed: delaying chemotherapy or surgery in endemic areas, providing better protection for cancer patients, and intensifying surveillance/treatment for infected cancer patients, especially older ones. The study highlights the need for urgent attention to cancer patients during the pandemic. The authors emphasize the importance of palliative care for death row inmates with cancer, noting that denying such care causes unnecessary suffering. Ethical principles require that physicians provide palliative care to all patients, regardless of their legal status.Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The centre grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. A study analyzed 2007 COVID-19 cases in China, finding that 18 (1%) had a history of cancer, higher than the general population's cancer rate. Cancer patients were older, more likely to smoke, and had more severe baseline CT findings. They had a higher risk of severe outcomes, including ICU admission and death, compared to non-cancer patients. Chemotherapy or surgery in the past month increased the risk of severe events. Cancer history was the highest risk factor for severe events. The study suggests that cancer patients are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and worse outcomes. Three strategies are proposed: delaying chemotherapy or surgery in endemic areas, providing better protection for cancer patients, and intensifying surveillance/treatment for infected cancer patients, especially older ones. The study highlights the need for urgent attention to cancer patients during the pandemic. The authors emphasize the importance of palliative care for death row inmates with cancer, noting that denying such care causes unnecessary suffering. Ethical principles require that physicians provide palliative care to all patients, regardless of their legal status.