Cancer patient perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic: A thematic analysis of cancer blog posts

Experiences and coping strategies of women receiving treatment for breast and gynecological cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

“…In a qualitative study with patients with breast cancer, Savard et al revealed that the patients had increased psychological distress and worries about contracting COVID-19 ( Savard et al, 2021 ). Hintermayer et al found that cancer patients were worried about inaccessibility of treatment, diagnostic tests and/or follow-up care ( Hintermayer et al, 2020 ). Colomer-Lahiguera et al also reported that patients were worried about delays in their treatment and afraid of dying or death of their family and friends during the pandemic (Colomer-Lahiguera, 2021).…”

“…Moran et al found in their qualitative study that patients with gynecological cancers developed creative coping strategies like visiting the church online, going for a walk instead of going to the gym and meeting friends by keeping the physical distance ( Moran et al, 2020 ). In the study of Hintermayer et al cancer patients were found to use similar strategies such as acknowledging the importance of the family and the society, developing personal coping strategies, feeling relieved thanks to their religious beliefs and talking about the things felt grateful for ( Hintermayer et al, 2020 ). Colomer-Lahiguera et al reported that cancer patients were resistant and adopted positive coping strategies they learned from their experiences with cancer ( Colomer-Lahiguera et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Compatible with this finding, Moran et al found in their qualitative study that women with gynecological cancers receiving chemotherapy felt stressed out when they met people refusing to wear a mask or keep the physical distance during the COVID-19 pandemic (Moran et al, 2020). In the study of Hintermayer et al the patients felt disappointed since people did not take precautions like social distancing seriously and risked other people's lives (Hintermayer, 2020). In the present study, some women also felt worried about being infected with COVID-19.…”

“…In the current study, one woman doing sports regularly commented that she felt physically unwell since she could not maintain her physical activity during the pandemic. Hintermayer et al found that cancer patients were worried since social isolation caused delays in their activities which helped them to cope with cancer (Hintermayer, 2020). The patients also noted that they could not take advantage of their free time because of prohibition of social gatherings and travels.…”

British Gynaecological Cancer Society recommendations for women with gynecological cancer who received non-standard care during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…39 Studies have reported high levels of patient anxiety and a perception of medical abandonment during the pandemic. [40][41][42][43] A qualitative analysis of 800 online forum posts with UK gynecology cancer charities shows that patients are extremely anxious about the impact of these changes on their current and future cancer care and contacted cancer charities to avoid burdening healthcare staff (S Sundar, personal communication, June 2021). It will be important for healthcare professionals to acknowledge and address these concerns as services recover so they may provide reassurance and appropriate care to their patients.…”