Feelings Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Patients Treated in the Oncology Clinics (Poland)

Abstract

Background: The number of cancer patients is constantly growing. Both WHO and IARC report that this number may reach up to 24 million new diagnosed cases in the next two decades. The proposed treatment and especially the diagnosis can have a significant impact on an individual's approach to the disease, as well as on the patient's quality of life.Objectives: The study aimed to assess the quality of life, feelings, and fear of cancer-treating oncological patients, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and Methods: The study used the standardized WHOQOL quality of life questionnaire in a shortened version, the COVID-19 fear scale (FCV-19S), and the AIS disease acceptance scale (in terms of cancer-related sensations). The questionnaire survey was conducted among patients of cancer clinics (Poland). The study was conducted in two stages–before the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020). Data from 450 correctly completed questionnaires were analyzed statistically. The obtained data were statistically processed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test (p = 0.05).Results: Among the surveyed patients of the cancer clinic, the quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased by 2%, compared to the period before the pandemic. The frequency of negative feelings associated with cancer increased during the COVID-19 pandemic–by 11% more men, and 4.4% of women determined the frequency of negative feelings to be 2–3 times a week. The level of fear associated with COVID-19 was moderate (57.1%), with women having a higher level of fear (12.5% higher than men).Conclusion: The development of the epidemic is very important in terms of public health. COVID-19 should be considered as one of the factors that bring about sudden changes in the mental health of the population, which may result from the dynamic development of this disease, dramatic media coverage, and own experiences. It has been shown that the sudden appearance of such a large stressor causes a decrease in patients' quality of life and an increase in negative feelings associated with chronic disease.

Southwest Harvest for Health: An Adapted Mentored Vegetable Gardening Intervention for Cancer Survivors

“…Engagement in these types of activities may have prevented more substantial declines in overall activity compared with other studies of adults during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 49 ]. While there are fewer reports of declines in HRQOL that have been systematically observed during COVID-19, Grajek et al recently reported declines of 2% among 450 patients actively treated for cancer [ 50 ]. Therefore, the high satisfaction with the gardening intervention may have mitigated steeper reductions in HRQOL that may have been noted otherwise.…”

Post-Pandemic Stress Disorder as an Effect of the Epidemiological Situation Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The online screening was completed by a total of 103 health professionals. PTSD symptoms were measured by the authors using the PCL-5, while depression symptoms were measured using the PHQ-9 questionnaire [ 64 , 65 ]. After analyzing the results of the online survey, the authors contacted participants who scored above the cut-off for the PCL-5 or PHQ-9.…”

Global Self-Esteem, Physical Activity, and Body Composition Changes Following a 12-Week Dietary and Physical Activity Intervention in Older Women

“…At the same time, social quarantine and difficult access to medical services may result in the deterioration of mental and physical health (including weight gain) [ 1 ]. Given the escalation in many cases, humankind is facing countless psychological problems, from those related to taking precautions and maintaining safety to those caused by separation [ 2 ]. From the somatic point of view, the biggest problem associated with isolation was the lack of possibility of direct contact with medical professionals, and thus the aggravation of many chronic (coexisting) diseases.…”