Mental Health and Adherence to COVID-19 Protective Behaviors among Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International, Multinational Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted during the first COVID-19 wave, to examine the impact of COVID-19 on mental health using an anonymous online survey, enrolling 9565 individuals in 78 countries. The current sub-study examined the impact of the pandemic and the associated lockdown measures on the mental health, and protective behaviors of cancer patients in comparison to non-cancer participants. Furthermore, 264 participants from 30 different countries reported being cancer patients. The median age was 51.5 years, 79.9% were female, and 28% had breast cancer. Cancer participants reported higher self-efficacy to follow recommended national guidelines regarding COVID-19 protective behaviors compared to non-cancer participants (p < 0.01). They were less stressed (p < 0.01), more psychologically flexible (p < 0.01), and had higher levels of positive affect compared to non-cancer participants. Amongst cancer participants, the majority (80.3%) reported COVID-19, not their cancer, as their priority during the first wave of the pandemic and females reported higher levels of stress compared to males. In conclusion, cancer participants appeared to have handled the unpredictable nature of the first wave of the pandemic efficiently, with a positive attitude towards an unknown and otherwise frightening situation. Larger, cancer population specific and longitudinal studies are warranted to ensure adequate medical and psychological care for cancer patients.

Mental Health in Postoperative Thyroid Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Overall, we found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, postoperative thyroid patients reported more symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, depression, and PTSS than the normal population and worse psychological status than postoperative thyroid patients before COVID-19 ( 1 , 11 , 36 ); however, these patients had better mental health than postoperative patients with other types of cancers ( 18 ).…”

“…The psychological and emotional issues in numerous populations during the COVID-19 pandemic have received increasing attention (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). While psychological symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life after thyroid surgery have been reported by patients (34)(35)(36), the mental health of postoperative thyroid patients during the pandemic and the factors affecting it remain relatively unknown (37).…”

“…Several studies have explored anxiety, depression, and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of populations, including the general population (1,2,11), health care workers (12)(13)(14), medical students (15,16), cancer patients (17)(18)(19), and postoperative surgical patients (20,21). The majority of these study populations experienced negative emotional states during the pandemic; however, to date, no studies have focused on the mental health of patients after thyroid surgery (22).…”

Principais Dificuldades Encontradas Por Pacientes Com Câncer Durante a Pandemia Da Covid-19

“…Essas medidas de segurança dificultaram a reabilitação pós operatória dos pacientes, pois por não poderem sair da enfermaria e nem receber visitas, não tinham formas de se distrair psicologicamente, gerando estresse causados pela situação e pela doença de base. KASSIANOS et al (2021) 264 pacientes com câncer residentes em 30 países diferentes. A maioria eram mulheres com câncer de mama (28%), seguidas de mulheres com câncer do aparelho reprodutor feminino (22%).…”

Pesquisa e Extensão: Abordagem Interdisciplinar

“…Os pacientes apresentaram um alto nível de estresse durante o período, principalmente pelo fato de precisarem se isolar em suas casas, mudarem a rotina de consultas, exercícios e até de saídas rápidas como ir até o mercado. Além disso havia também o medo da superlotação dos estabelecimentos de assistência à saúde (KRUG, et al 2022;KIRTANE, et al 2022;LAMBLIN, et al 2021;MCANDEW, et al 2021;CROSETTI, et al 2021;KASSIANOS, et al 2021;PEOPLES, et al 2022).…”