Impact of Coronaphobia on Treatment and Follow-Up Compliance of Cancer Patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of coronaphobia on treatment and follow-up compliance in cancer patients. The records of 230 cancer patients were reviewed. Coronaphobia was assessed via the validated COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S). A total of 64% of the patients had a high coronaphobia score. Among them, 59% were noncompliant. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, low educational status, treatment type, following COVID-19 news, having knowledge about COVID-19 transmission and higher C19P-S score were associated with noncompliance (p = 0.006, p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that having knowledge about COVID-19 transmission was related to a higher C19P-S score (p = 0.001). The cancer patients studied had significant coronaphobia. Moreover, greater coronaphobia was significantly associated with noncompliance with follow-up and treatment.

Impact of Corona-Phobia on Attitudes and Acceptance Towards COVID-19 Vaccine Among Cancer Patients: a Single-Center Study

“…Compared to previous studies, in our study, the participants had a high level of mean C19P-S total score [ 15 , 17 ]. In terms of sub-dimensions, it was found that mean psychological and economic sub-dimension scores were high, while mean social and psychosomatic sub-dimension scores were low, similar to previous studies [ 8 , 21–23 ].…”

“…Along with its negative social and economic impact on society, COVID-19 pandemic has led to important psychological problems including the disruption of the mental health of the public population. One negative consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic from a psychological perspective was the introduction of ‘coronophobia’ to the world [ 15 ]. In this study, authors investigated the impact of COVID-19 phobia on attitudes towards vaccine acceptance.…”

“…The probability of death among oncological patients with COVID-19 was estimated as 25.6% [ 14 ]. In addition, patients with cancer are one of the most fearful populations that were largely restricted their activities during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 15 ]. Therefore, analysis of the course of COVID-19 among patients with cancer, along with the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in their life, supports giving them a high priority for vaccination, particularly because seroconversion in patients with cancer infected by SARS-CoV-2 did not differ in comparison to the healthy population [ 15 , 16 ].…”

“…In addition, patients with cancer are one of the most fearful populations that were largely restricted their activities during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 15 ]. Therefore, analysis of the course of COVID-19 among patients with cancer, along with the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in their life, supports giving them a high priority for vaccination, particularly because seroconversion in patients with cancer infected by SARS-CoV-2 did not differ in comparison to the healthy population [ 15 , 16 ]. The risk of adverse effects and concerns about the safety and effectiveness are the main fears among cancer patients that are causing the vaccine hesitancy [ 3 ].…”

Immunogenicity and Safety of the Coronavac Vaccine in Patients with Cancer Receiving Active Systemic Therapy

“…Advanced age and chronic disease are major risk factors for increased COVID-19 morbidity and mortality [ 2 ]. Cancer patients constitute a particular subgroup that needs more care because of delays in diagnostic and therapeutic processes during the pandemic leading to higher mortality rates [ 3 , 4 ]. Vaccines developed against COVID-19 have been promising for cancer patients as well as healthy individuals [ 5 ].…”