Developing a holistic contingency plan: Challenges and dilemmas for cancer patients during the COVID‐19

Abstract

During the first quarter of 2020 the world is experiencing a pandemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome‑Coronavirus‑2 (SARS‑CoV‑2), a novel beta coronavirus that is responsible for the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). The COVID‐19 pandemic revealed that healthcare systems around the world were not prepared to deal with either the direct effects of the pandemic or with the indirect effects that are imposed on the health of patients with chronic disorders such as cancer patients. Some challenges and dilemmas currently faced during the pandemic include the management of cancer patients during the treatment and follow‐up phases, the assessment of the safety of treatments currently used for the management of SARS‑CoV‑2 for use in cancer patients, the development of psychoeducation and emotional support for cancer patients and the safe conduct of clinical trials involving participation of cancer patients. Evidence from the literature supports the need for the urgent development of a holistic contingency plan which will include clear guidelines for the protection and comprehensive care of cancer patients. The implementation of such a plan is expected to have many beneficial effects by mainly minimizing the increased morbidity and mortality of cancer patients that could result as an adverse consequence of the COVID‐19 or future pandemics.

A Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Cancer Care of Adolescents and Young Adults

“…In our study, the most frequently experienced negative impacts on care were delays or cancellations in diagnostic tests, treatment, or healthcare visits. These findings are congruent with other studies demonstrating a similar spectrum of pandemic-related delays in diagnosis and staging, initiation of therapy, and interruption of ongoing treatment and clinical research [3][4][5][6]. AYAs with pre-existing mental health or chronic physical health conditions were at the highest risk of having a negative impact.…”

“…Individuals of all ages with a cancer diagnosis are particularly vulnerable to experiencing a multitude of adverse impacts secondary to the pandemic [2,3]. The enormous strain of COVID-19 on healthcare systems has significantly disrupted cancer care services worldwide, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer and a reduction in their chances of survival [3][4][5][6]. Individuals with cancer are more prone to complications related to COVID-19 infection due to the underlying immune suppression and co-morbidities resulting from cancer and its treatment [7].…”

“…To combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, most cancer care organizations have decreased the frequency of in-person appointments and diagnostic tests and shifted towards the provision of healthcare services through virtual platforms [3][4][5][6]. Alterations in cancer treatment protocols and access to clinical trials, medications, and physical or psychological support services have also raised concerns about the quality of cancer care during this pandemic [6,8,9]. Furthermore, it has become more challenging for patients to cope with their cancer given the personal disconnect they feel from healthcare providers and their social support system [5,6].…”

“…Alterations in cancer treatment protocols and access to clinical trials, medications, and physical or psychological support services have also raised concerns about the quality of cancer care during this pandemic [6,8,9]. Furthermore, it has become more challenging for patients to cope with their cancer given the personal disconnect they feel from healthcare providers and their social support system [5,6].…”

New reporting items and recommendations for randomized trials impacted by COVID-19 and force majeure events: a targeted approach

“…New reporting items and recommendations for randomized trials impacted by COVID-19 and force majeure events: a targeted approach To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, strict social distancing and prolonged lockdown measures were implemented in many countries. During the ongoing pandemic crisis, despite adaptations such as remote data collection and monitoring (2), the willingness and ability to participate in cancer clinical trials have been adversely affected (3,4). Therefore, the conduct of clinical trials may be significantly impacted (5)(6)(7).…”