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O'Dea A, Caulfield R, Roche MA. The Impact of COVID-19 Visitor Restrictions on Clinical Cancer Nurses. Semin Oncol Nurs 2024; 40:151530. [PMID: 38007320 DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the impact of visitor restrictions on clinical cancer nurses, their roles and duties, and the coping strategies used to address the impact. DATA SOURCES Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted through purposive sampling with nurses working in a clinical role within cancer services at the study site for at least 1 year. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Textual data transcribed from interviews were analyzed for themes using NVivo version 12 software, following Braun and Clarke's six phases of thematic analysis. CONCLUSION Visitor restrictions implemented due to COVID-19 had a significant impact on clinical cancer nurses. The study found evidence of moral injury and conflict-within the role of the nurse, the implementation of organizational policies, and nurses' professional identity and personal beliefs. Despite this adversity, nurses remained committed to their clinical practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Changes to nurses' roles and the practice environment have potentially significant impact on well-being and retention. To ensure that nurses can continue to provide high-quality nursing care in challenging environments, organizations must minimize this impact. Consistent communication and support activities, including recognizing and responding appropriately to situations, may be used in the reduction of potential moral injury and stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy O'Dea
- Nursing Honours Candidate, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Caulfield
- Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT; Registered Nurse, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, ACT
| | - Michael A Roche
- Professor of Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT; Clinical Chair in Mental Health Nursing, SYNERGY Nursing & Midwifery Research Centre, ACT Health; Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW, Australia
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Ryan RE, Silke C, Parkhill A, Virgona A, Merner B, Hurley S, Walsh L, de Moel-Mandel C, Schonfeld L, Edwards AG, Kaufman J, Cooper A, Chung RKY, Solo K, Hellard M, Di Tanna GL, Pedrana A, Saich F, Hill S. Communication to promote and support physical distancing for COVID-19 prevention and control. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 10:CD015144. [PMID: 37811673 PMCID: PMC10561351 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This review is an update of a rapid review undertaken in 2020 to identify relevant, feasible and effective communication approaches to promote acceptance, uptake and adherence to physical distancing measures for COVID-19 prevention and control. The rapid review was published when little was known about transmission, treatment or future vaccination, and when physical distancing measures (isolation, quarantine, contact tracing, crowd avoidance, work and school measures) were the cornerstone of public health responses globally. This updated review includes more recent evidence to extend what we know about effective pandemic public health communication. This includes considerations of changes needed over time to maintain responsiveness to pandemic transmission waves, the (in)equities and variable needs of groups within communities due to the pandemic, and highlights again the critical role of effective communication as integral to the public health response. OBJECTIVES To update the evidence on the question 'What are relevant, feasible and effective communication approaches to promote acceptance, uptake and adherence to physical distancing measures for COVID-19 prevention and control?', our primary focus was communication approaches to promote and support acceptance, uptake and adherence to physical distancing. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE to explore and identify key elements of effective communication for physical distancing measures for different (diverse) populations and groups. SEARCH METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases from inception, with searches for this update including the period 1 January 2020 to 18 August 2021. Systematic review and study repositories and grey literature sources were searched in August 2021 and guidelines identified for the eCOVID19 Recommendations Map were screened (November 2021). SELECTION CRITERIA Guidelines or reviews focusing on communication (information, education, reminders, facilitating decision-making, skills acquisition, supporting behaviour change, support, involvement in decision-making) related to physical distancing measures for prevention and/or control of COVID-19 or selected other diseases (sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza, Ebola virus disease (EVD) or tuberculosis (TB)) were included. New evidence was added to guidelines, reviews and primary studies included in the 2020 review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Methods were based on the original rapid review, using methods developed by McMaster University and informed by Cochrane rapid review guidance. Screening, data extraction, quality assessment and synthesis were conducted by one author and checked by a second author. Synthesis of results was conducted using modified framework analysis, with themes from the original review used as an initial framework. MAIN RESULTS This review update includes 68 studies, with 17 guidelines and 20 reviews added to the original 31 studies. Synthesis identified six major themes, which can be used to inform policy and decision-making related to planning and implementing communication about a public health emergency and measures to protect the community. Theme 1: Strengthening public trust and countering misinformation: essential foundations for effective public health communication Recognising the key role of public trust is essential. Working to build and maintain trust over time underpins the success of public health communications and, therefore, the effectiveness of public health prevention measures. Theme 2: Two-way communication: involving communities to improve the dissemination, accessibility and acceptability of information Two-way communication (engagement) with the public is needed over the course of a public health emergency: at first, recognition of a health threat (despite uncertainties), and regularly as public health measures are introduced or adjusted. Engagement needs to be embedded at all stages of the response and inform tailoring of communications and implementation of public health measures over time. Theme 3: Development of and preparation for public communication: target audience, equity and tailoring Communication and information must be tailored to reach all groups within populations, and explicitly consider existing inequities and the needs of disadvantaged groups, including those who are underserved, vulnerable, from diverse cultural or language groups, or who have lower educational attainment. Awareness that implementing public health measures may magnify existing or emerging inequities is also needed in response planning, enactment and adjustment over time. Theme 4: Public communication features: content, timing and duration, delivery Public communication needs to be based on clear, consistent, actionable and timely (up-to-date) information about preventive measures, including the benefits (whether for individual, social groupings or wider society), harms (likewise) and rationale for use, and include information about supports available to help follow recommended measures. Communication needs to occur through multiple channels and/or formats to build public trust and reach more of the community. Theme 5: Supporting behaviour change at individual and population levels Supporting implementation of public health measures with practical supports and services (e.g. essential supplies, financial support) is critical. Information about available supports must be widely disseminated and well understood. Supports and communication related to them require flexibility and tailoring to explicitly consider community needs, including those of vulnerable groups. Proactively monitoring and countering stigma related to preventive measures (e.g. quarantine) is also necessary to support adherence. Theme 6: Fostering and sustaining receptiveness and responsiveness to public health communication Efforts to foster and sustain public receptiveness and responsiveness to public health communication are needed throughout a public health emergency. Trust, acceptance and behaviours change over time, and communication needs to be adaptive and responsive to these changing needs. Ongoing community engagement efforts should inform communication and public health response measures. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Implications for practice Evidence highlights the critical role of communication throughout a public health emergency. Like any intervention, communication can be done well or poorly, but the consequences of poor communication during a pandemic may mean the difference between life and death. The approaches to effective communication identified in this review can be used by policymakers and decision-makers, working closely with communication teams, to plan, implement and adjust public communications over the course of a public health emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for research Despite massive growth in research during the COVID-19 period, gaps in the evidence persist and require high-quality, meaningful research. This includes investigating the experiences of people at heightened COVID-19 risk, and identifying barriers to implementing public communication and protective health measures particular to lower- and middle-income countries, and how to overcome these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Ryan
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Charlotte Silke
- UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre, School of Political Science & Sociology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Anne Parkhill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Ariane Virgona
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Bronwen Merner
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Shauna Hurley
- Cochrane Australia, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Louisa Walsh
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
- Department of Nursing and Allied Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Lina Schonfeld
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Adrian Gk Edwards
- Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre, Cardiff University, 8th floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN , UK
- PRIME Centre Wales, Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, 8th floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Jessica Kaufman
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
- Vaccine Uptake Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute , The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Alison Cooper
- Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre, Cardiff University, 8th floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN , UK
- PRIME Centre Wales, Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, 8th floor Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | | | - Karla Solo
- GRADE McMaster & Cochrane Canada, Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario , Canada
| | | | - Gian Luca Di Tanna
- Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Sophie Hill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
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Voigtländer S, Hakimhashemi A, Grundmann N, Radespiel-Tröger M, Inwald EC, Ortmann O, Gerken M, Klug SJ, Klinkhammer-Schalke M, Meyer M, Müller-Nordhorn J. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reported cancer diagnoses in Bavaria, Germany. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:7493-7503. [PMID: 36964405 PMCID: PMC10038367 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04707-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of our study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reported cancer cases in Bavaria, Germany, by comparing pre-pandemic (March 2019 to February 2020) and pandemic period (March 2020 to February 2021). METHODS Data on incident cases were retrieved from the Bavarian Cancer Registry (until 22nd April 2022). We included patients with malignant and in situ neoplasms reported by pathology departments with consistent reporting. We calculated the number of incident cases during the COVID-19 pandemic and the pre-pandemic period with 95% confidence intervals (CI) with Bonferroni correction (α = 0.0018) based on a Poisson approach. We stratified for malignancy (malignant, in situ), tumor site, and month of year. RESULTS Data was available for 30 out of 58 pathology departments (51.7%) from Bavaria. Incident malignant neoplasms dropped from 42,857 cases in the pre-pandemic period to 39,980 cases in the pandemic period (- 6.7%; 95% CI - 8.7%, - 4.7%). Reductions were higher for colon, rectum, skin/melanoma as well as liver (> 10.0% reduction) and less for breast cancer (4.9% reduction). No case reductions were observed for pancreas, esophagus, ovary, and cervix. Percent changes were largest for April 2020 (- 20.9%; 95% CI - 24.7%, - 16.8%) and January 2021 (- 25.2%; 95% CI - 28.8%, - 21.5%) compared to the previous year. Declines tended to be larger for in situ compared to malignant neoplasms. CONCLUSION Detection and diagnosis of cancer were substantially reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Potential effects, e.g. a stage shift of tumors or an increase of cancer mortality, need to be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Voigtländer
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Amir Hakimhashemi
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Nina Grundmann
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Martin Radespiel-Tröger
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth C. Inwald
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center, Landshuter Straße 65, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Olaf Ortmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center, Landshuter Straße 65, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Gerken
- Institute for Quality Assurance and Health Services Research, University of Regensburg, Am BioPark 9, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie J. Klug
- Chair of Epidemiology, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 56, 80992 Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Klinkhammer-Schalke
- Institute for Quality Assurance and Health Services Research, University of Regensburg, Am BioPark 9, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Meyer
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Müller-Nordhorn
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
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Broom A, Williams Veazey L, Kenny K, Harper I, Peterie M, Page A, Cort N, Durling J, Lipp ES, Tan AC, Walsh KM, Hanks BA, Johnson M, Van Swearingen AE, Anders CK, Ashley DM, Khasraw M. The Enduring Effects of COVID for Cancer Care: Learning from Real-Life Clinical Practice. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:1670-1677. [PMID: 36920243 PMCID: PMC10150237 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
For three years, COVID-19 has circulated among our communities and around the world, fundamentally changing social interactions, health care systems, and service delivery. For people living with (and receiving treatment for) cancer, pandemic conditions presented significant additional hurdles in an already unstable and shifting environment, including disrupted personal contact with care providers, interrupted access to clinical trials, distanced therapeutic encounters, multiple immune vulnerabilities, and new forms of financial precarity. In a 2020 perspective in this journal, we examined how COVID-19 was reshaping cancer care in the early stages of the pandemic and how these changes might endure into the future. Three years later, and in light of a series of interviews with patients and their caregivers from the United States and Australia conducted during the pandemic, we return to consider the potential legacy effects of the pandemic on cancer care. While some challenges to care provision and survivorship were unforeseen, others accentuated and amplified existing problems experienced by patients, caregivers, and health care providers. Both are likely to have enduring effects in the "post-pandemic" world, raising the importance of focusing on lessons that can be learned for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Broom
- Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Leah Williams Veazey
- Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katherine Kenny
- Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Imogen Harper
- Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Peterie
- Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander Page
- Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Cort
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer Durling
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Eric S. Lipp
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Aaron C. Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kyle M. Walsh
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Brent A. Hanks
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Margaret Johnson
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Carey K. Anders
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - David M. Ashley
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Mustafa Khasraw
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Kim Y, Shin JM, Yoo SH, Keam B. Challenges in Care for Non-COVID-19 Patients with Severe Chronic Illnesses during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Providers Working around Acute Care Hospitals in South Korea. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:611. [PMID: 36833145 PMCID: PMC9957023 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11040611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 epidemic has afflicted patients with severe chronic illnesses who need continuous care between home and hospitals. This qualitative study examines the experiences and challenges of healthcare providers around acute care hospitals who have cared for patients with severe chronic illness in non-COVID-19 situations during the pandemic. METHODS Eight healthcare providers, who work in various healthcare settings around acute care hospitals and frequently care for non-COVID-19 patients with severe chronic illnesses, were recruited using purposive sampling from September to October 2021 in South Korea. The interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS Four overarching themes were identified: (1) deterioration in the quality of care at various settings; (2) new emerging systemic problems; (3) healthcare providers holding on but reaching their limit; and (4) a decline in the quality of life of patients at the end of their lives, and their caregivers. CONCLUSION Healthcare providers of non-COVID-19 patients with severe chronic illnesses reported that the quality of care was declining due to the structural problems of the healthcare system and policies centered solely on the prevention and control of COVID-19. Systematic solutions are needed for appropriate and seamless care for non-infected patients with severe chronic illness in the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yejin Kim
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Mi Shin
- Public Healthcare Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Hye Yoo
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
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Özyer Y. Experiences of Patients in Turkey with Breast Cancer throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic and their Coping Mechanisms: A Qualitative Study. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2023; 62:662-680. [PMID: 36168020 PMCID: PMC9514685 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-022-01675-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
This research was conducted in Turkey to determine the experiences and coping mechanisms of breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted using qualitative descriptive phenomenology. Data were collected from ten patients via in-depth interviews through semi-structured questionnaires. Content analysis, incorporating a combination of deductive and inductive approaches, was conducted to determine the themes and subthemes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, simultaneously with the analysis and collected data. The study data were categorized into 3 contexts, 7 themes and 39 subthemes. The first context titled "Problems accompanying the disease" includes the effects of the pandemic, the fear of being infected with COVID-19 and hospital-related themes. The second context titled "Coping strategies" comprises the themes of coping behaviors and healthy lifestyle behaviors. The last context is titled "Anxiety about being infected, and suggestions for the future". In the study, problems experienced by patients with breast cancer throughout the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated from a broad perspective. Patients treated in chemotherapy units constitute the vulnerable group affected by the pandemic most. Therefore, it is important to investigate the experiences of oncology patients, particularly of patients with breast cancer and their coping strategies, and to take necessary precautions accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin Özyer
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Sinop University, Sinop, Turkey.
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Changes in anticancer treatment plans in patients with solid cancer hospitalized with COVID-19: analysis of the nationwide BSMO-COVID registry providing lessons for the future. ESMO Open 2022; 7:100610. [PMID: 36356416 PMCID: PMC9639795 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Solid cancer is an independent prognostic factor for poor outcome with COVID-19. As guidelines for patient management in that setting depend on retrospective efforts, we here present the first analyses of a nationwide database of patients with cancer hospitalized with COVID-19 in Belgium, with a focus on changes in anticancer treatment plans at the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS Nineteen Belgian hospitals identified all patients with a history of solid cancer hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 2020 and February 2021. Demographic, cancer-specific and COVID-specific data were pseudonymously entered into a central Belgian Society of Medical Oncology (BSMO)-COVID database. The association between survival and primary cancer type was analyzed through multivariate multinomial logistic regression. Group comparisons for categorical variables were carried out through a Chi-square test. RESULTS A total of 928 patients were registered in the database; most of them were aged ≥70 years (61.0%) and with poor performance scores [57.2% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) ≥2]. Thirty-day COVID-related mortality was 19.8%. In multivariate analysis, a trend was seen for higher mortality in patients with lung cancer (27.6% versus 20.8%, P = 0.062) and lower mortality for patients with breast cancer (13.0% versus 23.3%, P = 0.052) compared with other tumour types. Non-curative treatment was associated with higher 30-day COVID-related mortality rates compared with curative or no active treatment (25.8% versus 14.3% versus 21.9%, respectively, P < 0.001). In 33% of patients under active treatment, the therapeutic plan was changed due to COVID-19 diagnosis, most frequently involving delays/interruptions in systemic treatments (18.6%). Thirty-day COVID-related mortality was not significantly different between patients with and without treatment modifications (21.4% versus 20.5%). CONCLUSION Interruption in anticancer treatments at the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection was not associated with a reduction in COVID-related mortality in our cohort of patients with solid cancer, highlighting that treatment continuation should be strived for, especially in the curative setting.
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Cuadrado C, Vidal F, Pacheco J, Flores-Alvarado S. Acceso a la atención del cáncer en los grupos vulnerables de Chile durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2022; 46:e77. [PMID: 35990523 PMCID: PMC9384893 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2022.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objetivo.
Estudiar la repercusión de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el acceso a la atención del cáncer en Chile, analizando los efectos diferenciales por tipo de seguro, sexo y edad.
Métodos.
Se llevó a cabo un estudio cuasiexperimental mediante análisis de series temporales interrumpidas. Se recurrió a fuentes de datos múltiples con el fin de lograr una evaluación amplia de la utilización de la atención del cáncer de enero del 2017 a diciembre del 2020. Se ajustaron modelos binomiales negativos en función de los grupos de población para una diversidad de servicios y diagnósticos.
Resultados.
Tras una disminución considerable de la utilización de la atención oncológica en marzo, se observó una recuperación lenta e incompleta durante el 2020. Los servicios de atención del cáncer, las confirmaciones diagnósticas y las licencias por enfermedad acumulados se redujeron en un tercio en el 2020; la disminución fue más pronunciada en las mujeres y las personas afiliadas al seguro de enfermedad público. No se hizo un diagnóstico temprano en 5132 personas con cuatro tipos frecuentes de cáncer.
Conclusiones.
La pandemia sobrecargó el sistema de salud chileno y provocó una disminución del acceso a los servicios básicos, con una repercusión profunda en la atención del cáncer. La reducción de los servicios de oncología precedió los confinamientos a gran escala y las interrupciones por parte de los prestadores. Cabe destacar que no todos los grupos de la población se vieron afectados por igual y se observaron pautas que indican un agravamiento de las desigualdades por situación socioeconómica y sexo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristóbal Cuadrado
- Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Francisca Vidal
- Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Jorge Pacheco
- Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Sandra Flores-Alvarado
- Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile
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9
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Cuadrado C, Vidal F, Pacheco J, Flores-Alvarado S. Cancer Care Access in Chile's Vulnerable Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:S591-S601. [PMID: 35977338 PMCID: PMC9382144 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. To examine the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on cancer care access in Chile, analyzing differential effects by insurance type, gender, and age. Methods. We conducted a quasi-experimental study using interrupted time series analysis. We used multiple data sources for a broad evaluation of cancer-related health care utilization from January 2017 to December 2020. We fit negative binomial models by population groups for a range of services and diagnoses. Results. A sharp drop in oncology health care utilization in March was followed by a slow, incomplete recovery over 2020. Cumulative cancer-related services, diagnostic confirmations, and sick leaves were reduced by one third in 2020; the decrease was more pronounced among women and the publicly insured. Early diagnosis was missed in 5132 persons with 4 common cancers. Conclusions. The pandemic stressed the Chilean health system, decreasing access to essential services, with a profound impact on cancer care. Oncology service reductions preceded large-scale lockdowns and supply-side disruptions. Importantly, not all population groups were equally affected, with patterns suggesting that gender and socioeconomic inequalities were exacerbated. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S6):S591-S601. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306587).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristóbal Cuadrado
- Cristóbal Cuadrado, Francisca Vidal, Jorge Pacheco, and Sandra Flores-Alvarado are with Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Cristóbal Cuadrado is also with the Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK. Jorge Pacheco is also with Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Francisca Vidal
- Cristóbal Cuadrado, Francisca Vidal, Jorge Pacheco, and Sandra Flores-Alvarado are with Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Cristóbal Cuadrado is also with the Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK. Jorge Pacheco is also with Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Jorge Pacheco
- Cristóbal Cuadrado, Francisca Vidal, Jorge Pacheco, and Sandra Flores-Alvarado are with Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Cristóbal Cuadrado is also with the Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK. Jorge Pacheco is also with Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Sandra Flores-Alvarado
- Cristóbal Cuadrado, Francisca Vidal, Jorge Pacheco, and Sandra Flores-Alvarado are with Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Cristóbal Cuadrado is also with the Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK. Jorge Pacheco is also with Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
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Chen YH, Chen SL, Chang CH, Wu PO, Yu HH, Shih SJ, Chang MY. Correlational Study of Emotional Stress, Pain, and the Presence of Inpatient Companions for Cancer Inpatients during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127004. [PMID: 35742253 PMCID: PMC9222849 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 poses an immense global threat. Visitors to hospitalized patients during a pandemic might themselves be carriers, and so hospitals strictly control patients and inpatient companions. However, it is not easy for cancer patients to adjust the times of their medical treatment or to suspend treatment, and the impact of the pandemic on cancer inpatients and inpatient companions is relatively high. The objectives for this investigation are to study the correlations among emotional stress, pain, and the presence of inpatient companions in cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was a retrospective descriptive study. The participants were cancer inpatients and inpatient companions in a medical center in Taiwan. The data for this study were extracted from cross-platform structured and normalized electronic medical record databases. Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS version 22.0 were used for analysis of the data. In all, 75.15% of the cancer inpatients were accompanied by family, and the number of hospitalization days were 7.87 ± 10.77 days, decreasing year by year, with statistical significance of p < 0.001. The daily nursing hours were 12.94 ± 10.76, and the nursing hours decreased year by year, p < 0.001. There was no significant difference in gender among those who accompanied the patients, but there were statistical differences in the length of hospitalization, nursing hours, and pain scores between those with and without inpatient companions, with p < 0.001. The inpatient companions were mostly family members (78%). The findings of this study on cancer patient care and inpatient companions should serve as an important basis for the transformation and reform of the inpatient companion culture and for epidemic prevention care in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Huei Chen
- Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (C.-H.C.); (P.-O.W.); (H.-H.Y.); (S.-J.S.); (M.-Y.C.)
| | - Shu-Ling Chen
- Department of Nursing, Hungkuang University, Taichung 433304, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
| | - Chia-Hui Chang
- Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (C.-H.C.); (P.-O.W.); (H.-H.Y.); (S.-J.S.); (M.-Y.C.)
| | - Pi-O Wu
- Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (C.-H.C.); (P.-O.W.); (H.-H.Y.); (S.-J.S.); (M.-Y.C.)
| | - Hsiu-Hui Yu
- Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (C.-H.C.); (P.-O.W.); (H.-H.Y.); (S.-J.S.); (M.-Y.C.)
| | - Sou-Jen Shih
- Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (C.-H.C.); (P.-O.W.); (H.-H.Y.); (S.-J.S.); (M.-Y.C.)
| | - Mei-Yu Chang
- Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan; (Y.-H.C.); (C.-H.C.); (P.-O.W.); (H.-H.Y.); (S.-J.S.); (M.-Y.C.)
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11
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De B, Fu S, Chen Y, Das P, Ku K, Maroongroge S, Woodhouse KD, Hoffman KE, Nguyen Q, Reed VK, Chen AB, Koong AC, Smith BD, Smith GL. Patient, physician, and policy factors underlying variation in use of telemedicine for radiation oncology cancer care. Cancer Med 2022; 11:2096-2105. [PMID: 35297210 PMCID: PMC9119354 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncology telemedicine was implemented rapidly after COVID-19. We examined multilevel correlates and outcomes of telemedicine use for patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for cancer. METHODS Upon implementation of a telemedicine platform at a comprehensive cancer center, we analyzed 468 consecutive patient RT courses from March 16, 2020 to June 1, 2020. Patients were categorized as using telemedicine during ≥1 weekly oncologist visits versus in-person oncologist management only. Temporal trends were evaluated with Cochran-Armitage tests; chi-squared test and multilevel multivariable logistic models identified correlates of use and outcomes. RESULTS Overall, 33% used telemedicine versus 67% in-person only oncologist management. Temporal trends (ptrend < 0.001) correlated with policy changes: uptake was rapid after local social-distancing restrictions, reaching peak use (35% of visits) within 4 weeks of implementation. Use declined to 15% after national "Opening Up America Again" guidelines. In the multilevel model, patients more likely to use telemedicine were White non-Hispanic versus Black or Hispanic (odds ratio [OR] = 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-4.72; p = 0.04) or receiving ≥6 fractions of RT versus 1-5 fractions (OR = 4.49, 95% CI 2.29-8.80; p < 0.001). Model intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated 43% utilization variation was physician-level driven. Treatment toxicities and 30-day emergency visits or unplanned hospitalizations did not differ for patients using versus not using telemedicine (p > 0.05, all comparisons). CONCLUSION Though toxicities were similar with telemedicine oncology management, there remained lower uptake among non-White patients. Continuing strategies for oncology telemedicine implementation should address multilevel patient, physician, and policy factors to optimize telemedicine's potential to surmount-and not exacerbate-barriers to quality cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian De
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Shuangshuang Fu
- Department of Health Services ResearchThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Ying‐Shiuan Chen
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Prajnan Das
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Kimberly Ku
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Sean Maroongroge
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Kristina D. Woodhouse
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Karen E. Hoffman
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Quynh‐Nhu Nguyen
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Valerie K. Reed
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Aileen B. Chen
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Health Services ResearchThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Albert C. Koong
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Benjamin D. Smith
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Health Services ResearchThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Grace L. Smith
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Health Services ResearchThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
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12
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Carrara E, Ong DSY, Hussein K, Keske S, Johansson AF, Presterl E, Tsioutis C, Tschudin-Sutter S, Tacconelli E. ESCMID guidelines on testing for SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic individuals to prevent transmission in the healthcare setting. Clin Microbiol Infect 2022; 28:672-680. [PMID: 35124258 PMCID: PMC8812094 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Scope This guideline addresses the indications for direct testing of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in asymptomatic individuals in health care facilities, with the aim to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmissions in these settings. The benefit of testing asymptomatic individuals to create a safe environment for patients and health care workers must be weighed against potential unintended consequences, including delaying necessary treatments owing to false positive results and lower quality of care owing to strict isolation measures. Methods A total of nine PICOs (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) on the topic of testing asymptomatic individuals was selected by the panel members. Subsequently, a literature search for existing guidelines and systematic reviews was performed on PubMed, Epistemonikos, and RecMap using relevant filters available in each database. Data on article/recommendation type, setting, target population, intervention, and quality of the evidence were extracted. Credibility of the systematic reviews was evaluated using the AMSTAR tool, and level of agreement with available recommendation was evaluated with the AGREE II score. Because the evidence available from systematic reviews was deemed insufficiently updated to formulate relevant recommendations, an additional search targeting relevant guidance documents from major public health institutions and original studies was performed. Provisional recommendations were discussed via web conferences until agreement was reached, and final recommendations were formulated according to the GRADE approach. Recommendations Recommendations were formulated regarding systematic testing in asymptomatic individuals upon admission to a health care setting, during hospital stay, before elective procedures, and before scheduled nonsurgical procedures. Moreover, recommendations regarding testing of asymptomatic visitors, personal caregivers, and health care workers in health care facilities were presented. Recommendations also were given on contact tracing in asymptomatic patients or health care workers and the possibility of a negative screening test to shorten the quarantine period. Furthermore, if applicable, recommendations were specified to transmission rate and vaccination coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Carrara
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy; European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC), Basel, Switzerland.
| | - David S Y Ong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; ESCMID Study Group for Respiratory Viruses (ESGREV), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Khetam Hussein
- European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC), Basel, Switzerland; The Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; Infection Control Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Siran Keske
- European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Anders F Johansson
- European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Microbiology and the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Presterl
- European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Constantinos Tsioutis
- European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC), Basel, Switzerland; School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Sarah Tschudin-Sutter
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Evelina Tacconelli
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Italy; European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC), Basel, Switzerland
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Mohseni Afshar Z, Hosseinzadeh R, Barary M, Ebrahimpour S, Alijanpour A, Sayad B, Hosseinzadeh D, Miri SR, Sio TT, Sullman MJM, Carson‐Chahhoud K, Babazadeh A. Challenges posed by COVID-19 in cancer patients: A narrative review. Cancer Med 2022; 11:1119-1135. [PMID: 34951152 PMCID: PMC8855916 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel coronavirus, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In early 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 the sixth public health emergency of international concern. The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially affected many groups within the general population, but particularly those with extant clinical conditions, such as having or being treated for cancer. Cancer patients are at a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 since the malignancy and chemotherapy may negatively affect the immune system, and their immunocompromised condition also increases the risk of infection. Substantial international efforts are currently underway to develop specific methods for diagnosing and treating COVID-19. However, cancer patients' risk profiles, management, and outcomes are not well understood. Thus, the main objective of this review is to discuss the relevant evidence to understand the prognosis of COVID-19 infections in cancer patients more clearly, as well as helping to improve the clinical management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Mohseni Afshar
- Clinical Research Development CenterImam Reza HospitalKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | | | - Mohammad Barary
- Student Research CommitteeBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
- Students’ Scientific Research Center (SSRC)Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Soheil Ebrahimpour
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research CenterHealth Research InstituteBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
| | | | - Babak Sayad
- Clinical Research Development CenterImam Reza HospitalKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | | | - Seyed Rouhollah Miri
- Cancer Research CenterCancer Institute of IranTehran University of Medical ScienceTehranIran
| | - Terence T. Sio
- Department of Radiation OncologyMayo ClinicPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Mark J. M. Sullman
- Department of Social SciencesUniversity of NicosiaNicosiaCyprus
- Department of Life and Health SciencesUniversity of NicosiaNicosiaCyprus
| | | | - Arefeh Babazadeh
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research CenterHealth Research InstituteBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
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14
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Elkrief A, Wu JT, Jani C, Enriquez KT, Glover M, Shah MR, Shaikh HG, Beeghly-Fadiel A, French B, Jhawar SR, Johnson DB, McKay RR, Rivera DR, Reuben DY, Shah S, Tinianov SL, Vinh DC, Mishra S, Warner JL. Learning through a Pandemic: The Current State of Knowledge on COVID-19 and Cancer. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:303-330. [PMID: 34893494 PMCID: PMC8831477 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-1368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has left patients with current or past history of cancer facing disparate consequences at every stage of the cancer trajectory. This comprehensive review offers a landscape analysis of the current state of the literature on COVID-19 and cancer, including the immune response to COVID-19, risk factors for severe disease, and impact of anticancer therapies. We also review the latest data on treatment of COVID-19 and vaccination safety and efficacy in patients with cancer, as well as the impact of the pandemic on cancer care, including the urgent need for rapid evidence generation and real-world study designs. SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with cancer have faced severe consequences at every stage of the cancer journey due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This comprehensive review offers a landscape analysis of the current state of the field regarding COVID-19 and cancer. We cover the immune response, risk factors for severe disease, and implications for vaccination in patients with cancer, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care delivery. Overall, this review provides an in-depth summary of the key issues facing patients with cancer during this unprecedented health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arielle Elkrief
- Division of Medical Oncology (Department of Medicine), McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julie T Wu
- Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Chinmay Jani
- Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kyle T Enriquez
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Mansi R Shah
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | | | | | | | - Sachin R Jhawar
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Rana R McKay
- University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Donna R Rivera
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Services, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Daniel Y Reuben
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Surbhi Shah
- Hematology and Oncology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Stacey L Tinianov
- Advocates for Collaborative Education, UCSF Breast Science Advocacy Core, San Francisco, California
| | - Donald Cuong Vinh
- Division of Infectious Diseases (Department of Medicine), Divisions of Medical Microbiology and of Molecular Diagnostics (OptiLab), McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sanjay Mishra
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jeremy L Warner
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
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15
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Adamakidou T, Charalambous A. How did SARS-CoV-2 changed the landscape in cancer care. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2022; 57:102118. [PMID: 35307319 PMCID: PMC8883722 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2022.102118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas Charalambous
- Nursing Department, Cyprus University of Technology, Nursing Department, University of Turku, Finland.
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16
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Mangone L, Mancuso P, Bisceglia I, Giorgi Rossi P, Chellini E, Negro C, Benfatto L, Migliore E, Casotto V, Mensi C, Romanelli A, Tumino R, Grappasonni I, Cavone D, Mazzoleni G, Tallarigo F, Marinaccio A. The impact of COVID-19 on new mesothelioma diagnoses in Italy. Thorac Cancer 2022; 13:702-707. [PMID: 35076994 PMCID: PMC8888152 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of the restrictions put in place to control the COVID‐19 pandemic on new diagnoses of malignant mesothelioma (MM) in Italy. Methods Twelve of the 21 Italian malignant mesothelioma CORs (regional operating centres) participated. The study included all cases of MM with microscopic confirmation; cases without microscopic confirmation and death certificate only (DCO) were excluded. For each case, information on sex, date of birth, tumor site, morphology, and date of diagnosis was retrieved. We compared the number of incident cases in 2020 with 2019, looking at the overall picture and for four periods: pre‐pandemic (January–February), first wave (March–May), low incidence (June–September), and second wave (October–December). Results A total of 604 cases were registered: 307 in 2019 and 297 in 2020. In the 2020 pre‐pandemic period, the incidence was higher than in the same months in 2019 (+45%); there was no significant change during the first wave (+1%) or in the low‐incidence period (−3%), while a decrease was observed during the second wave (−32%). However, the data were not homogeneous across the country: the increase in the pre‐pandemic period concerned mostly the regions of northern (+61.5%) and central Italy (+43.5%); during the first wave, MM diagnoses increased in the northern (+38.5%) and central (+11.4%) regions but decreased in the southern regions (−52.9%). All these differences are compatible with random fluctuations. Conclusion The COVID‐19 pandemic had little or no impact on new MM diagnoses, and variations were not homogeneous throughout the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Mangone
- Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry, Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,COR Emilia-Romagna, Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Pamela Mancuso
- Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry, Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Isabella Bisceglia
- Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry, Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Paolo Giorgi Rossi
- Reggio Emilia Cancer Registry, Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Chellini
- COR Toscana, Unit of Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network, Firenze, Italy
| | - Corrado Negro
- COR Friuli Venezia Giulia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti di Trieste" Struttura Complessa Medicina del Lavoro, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lucia Benfatto
- COR Liguria, Epidemiologia Clinica, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro (IST-Nord), Dipartimento Terapie Oncologiche Integrate e IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrica Migliore
- COR Piemonte, Unità di Epidemiologia dei Tumori Città della salute e della scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Veronica Casotto
- COR Veneto, Epidemiological Department, Azienda Zero, Veneto Region, Padova, Italy
| | - Carolina Mensi
- COR Lombardia, Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Romanelli
- COR Emilia-Romagna, Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Rosario Tumino
- COR Sicilia, Cancer Registry and Histopathology Department, Provincial Health Authority (ASP 7), Ragusa, Italy
| | - Iolanda Grappasonni
- COR Marche, School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Domenica Cavone
- COR Puglia, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section Occupational Medicine B. Ramazzini, School of Medicine, University Aldo Moro Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Guido Mazzoleni
- COR Alto-Adige, Health Trust South Tyrol, South Tyrol, Italy
| | - Federico Tallarigo
- COR Calabria, c/o UOC Anatomia Patologica PO San Giovanni di Dio, ASP, Crotone, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marinaccio
- RENAM, INAIL (Italian Workers' Compensation Authority), Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Rome, Italy
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17
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Lesi OK, Igho-Osagie E, Walton SJ. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on colorectal cancer patients at an NHS Foundation Trust hospital-A retrospective cohort study. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022; 73:103182. [PMID: 34931144 PMCID: PMC8673748 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current NHS guidelines recommend that treatment of colorectal patients referred through the two-week wait referral system should occur within sixty two days from the date of referral. The COVID-19 pandemic which started in March 2020 has however led to significant delays in the delivery of health services, including colorectal cancer treatments. This study investigates the effects of delayed colorectal cancer treatments during the COVID pandemic on disease progression. METHODS A retrospective chart review of 107 patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of colorectal cancer was conducted. The occurrence of cancer upstaging after initial diagnosis was assessed and compared between patients with treatment delays and patients who received treatments within the period recommended by NHS guidelines. A logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between treatment delays beyond 62 days and cancer upstaging. RESULTS The median age of the cohort was 71.2 years and 64.5% of the patients were over 65 years. Treatment delays were observed in 53.3% of reviewed patients. Patients with treatment delays received cancer treatments 95.8 (31.0) days on average after referral, compared to 46.3 (11.5) days in patients who experienced no treatment delays (p-value<0.0001). 38.6% of patients with treatment delays experienced cancer upstaging by the time of treatment, compared to 20% in the non-delay group (p-value = 0.036). Patients who received treatment after sixty two days from date of referral were 3.27 times more likely to experience colorectal cancer upstaging compared to those who received timely treatments. CONCLUSION Although an effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic requires the reallocation of healthcare resources, there is a need to ensure that treatments and health outcomes of patients with chronic diseases such as colorectal cancer continue to be prioritized and delivered in timely fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omotara Kafayat Lesi
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals, Essex, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sarah-Jane Walton
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals, Essex, United Kingdom
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18
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Impact of COVID-19 on cancer care in India: a cohort study. Lancet Oncol 2021; 22:970-976. [PMID: 34051879 PMCID: PMC8159191 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(21)00240-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted health-care systems, leading to concerns about its subsequent impact on non-COVID disease conditions. The diagnosis and management of cancer is time sensitive and is likely to be substantially affected by these disruptions. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care in India. Methods We did an ambidirectional cohort study at 41 cancer centres across India that were members of the National Cancer Grid of India to compare provision of oncology services between March 1 and May 31, 2020, with the same time period in 2019. We collected data on new patient registrations, number of patients visiting outpatient clinics, hospital admissions, day care admissions for chemotherapy, minor and major surgeries, patients accessing radiotherapy, diagnostic tests done (pathology reports, CT scans, MRI scans), and palliative care referrals. We also obtained estimates from participating centres on cancer screening, research, and educational activities (teaching of postgraduate students and trainees). We calculated proportional reductions in the provision of oncology services in 2020, compared with 2019. Findings Between March 1 and May 31, 2020, the number of new patients registered decreased from 112 270 to 51 760 (54% reduction), patients who had follow-up visits decreased from 634 745 to 340 984 (46% reduction), hospital admissions decreased from 88 801 to 56 885 (36% reduction), outpatient chemotherapy decreased from 173634 to 109 107 (37% reduction), the number of major surgeries decreased from 17 120 to 8677 (49% reduction), minor surgeries from 18 004 to 8630 (52% reduction), patients accessing radiotherapy from 51 142 to 39 365 (23% reduction), pathological diagnostic tests from 398 373 to 246 616 (38% reduction), number of radiological diagnostic tests from 93 449 to 53 560 (43% reduction), and palliative care referrals from 19 474 to 13 890 (29% reduction). These reductions were even more marked between April and May, 2020. Cancer screening was stopped completely or was functioning at less than 25% of usual capacity at more than 70% of centres during these months. Reductions in the provision of oncology services were higher for centres in tier 1 cities (larger cities) than tier 2 and 3 cities (smaller cities). Interpretation The COVID-19 pandemic has had considerable impact on the delivery of oncology services in India. The long-term impact of cessation of cancer screening and delayed hospital visits on cancer stage migration and outcomes are likely to be substantial. Funding None. Translation For the Hindi translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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