Patient‐reported disruptions to cancer care during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A national cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background The aim of this study is to evaluate the extent and associations with patient‐reported disruptions to cancer treatment and cancer‐related care during the COVID‐19 pandemic utilizing nationally representative data. Methods This analysis uses data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), an annual, cross‐sectional survey of US adults. Adults (age >18) who reported requiring current cancer treatment or other cancer‐related medical care in the second half of 2020 were included. Estimated proportions of patients with self‐reported changes, delays, or cancelations to cancer treatment or other cancer care due to the COVID‐19 pandemic were calculated using sampling weights and associations with sociodemographic and other health‐related variables were analyzed. Results In total, 574 (sample‐weighted estimate of 2,867,326) adults reported requiring cancer treatment and/or other cancer care since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic. An estimated 32.1% reported any change, delay, or cancelation. On sample‐weighted univariable analysis, patients who were younger, female, had one or fewer comorbidities, and uninsured were significantly more likely to report disruptions. On sample‐weighted, multivariable analysis, patients who were younger and female remained significant predictors. Nearly 90% of patients included in the study reported virtual appointment use. Patients reporting disruptions were also significantly more likely to report feelings of anxiety. Conclusions An estimated 1/3 of patients experienced disruptions to cancer care due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Patients experiencing disruptions in care were more likely to be female or younger which may reflect risk stratification strategies in the early stages of the pandemic, and also had higher rates of anxiety. The longitudinal impact of these disruptions on outcomes merits further study.

Patient Perceptions of the Impact of the COVID Pandemic on the Quality of Their Gastrointestinal Cancer Care

“…In contrast to previous reports, 9,10,35 we did not find any unadjusted associations between patient frailty, gender or age, and reporting a Covid-related change in care ( P = .63-.75). This likely reflects that the incidence of Covid serious infection in our jurisdiction was comparatively low and maintenance of cancer care was prioritized, 36 so there may have been less need to triage care delivery than in other jurisdictions.…”

The effect of COVID-19 on cancer incidences in the U.S

“…This is not without reason. Thus, preventive medical efforts such as screening, extra isolation strategies, specialized vaccinations, or pertinent systemic therapies normally made available to cancer patients were curtailed based on competing risk to allow hospitals and health systems to effectively combat the surge of COVID-19 cases [ 14 , [15] , [16] , [17] ]. As a result, a review of the impact of COVID-19 on diagnosis and treatment of cancers revealed that there was a 27% decrease in diagnosis of cancers throughout the pandemic [ 18 ].…”

“You matter”: patients perceptions and disparities about cancer care and telehealth during and after COVID-19 pandemic

“…There has been major concern regarding the impact of COVID-19 on essential health services, particularly cancer management. Patients with cancer experienced pandemic-related delayed appointments, canceled screening tests, or unexpected changes in treatment plans, among others [ 1 – 3 ]. Nevertheless, cancer management is extremely time-sensitive, and delays in treatment plans may lead to unintended repercussions.…”