Impact of COVID-19 on oncology practice and research in the United States

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has affected healthcare services in many ways, such as interruption of regular patient visit to clinical facilities and burdening of the already limited healthcare resources. Prior to the emergence of COVID-19, cancer has been one of the leading causes of deaths in the United States. While the regular care and access disruptions associated with the COVID-19 outbreak have received increasing attention in many areas, the range of gaps in oncology practice and research is not fully understood or well documented. Nonetheless, the global outbreak continues to unevenly affect the wealthiest and best-resourced country in the world and complicates response to other health issues. The aim of this study is to comment on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncology practice and research in the United States.