Oncology patients’ perceptions of and experiences with COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose No information is available on cancer patients' knowledge of and experiences with COVID-19. We undertook an evaluation of differences in COVID-19 symptom occurrence rates, COVID-19 testing rates, clinical care activities, knowledge of COVID-19, and use of mitigation procedures between patients who were and were not receiving active cancer treatment. Methods Patients enrolled were > 18 years of age; had a diagnosis of cancer; and were able to complete the emailed study survey online. Results Of the 174 patients who participated, 27.6% (n = 48) were receiving active treatment, 13.6% were unemployed because of COVID-19, 12.2% had been tested for COVID-19, and 0.6% had been hospitalized for COVID-19. Patients who were not on active treatment reported a higher mean number of COVID-19 symptoms (3.1 (± 4.2) versus 1.9 (± 2.6)), and patients who reported a higher number of COVID-19 symptoms were more likely to be tested. Over 55% of the patients were confident that their primary care provider could diagnose COVID-19, and the majority of the patients had high levels of adherence with the use of precautionary measures (e.g., social distancing, use of face coverings). Conclusion The high level of COVID-19 symptoms and the significant overlap of COVID-19 and cancer-related symptoms pose challenges for clinicians who are assessing and triaging oncology patients for COVID-19 testing. For patients on active treatment, clinicians face challenges with how to assess and manage symptoms that, prior to COVID-19, would be ascribed to acute toxicities associated with cancer treatments or persistent symptoms in cancer survivors.

Experiences of breast cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

“…Emerging data suggest that individuals with cancer have an increased risk for the COVID-19 disease and risk of severe events such as admission to the intensive care unit requiring invasive ventilation or death due to COVID-19 [1,4,5]. Being an individual affected by cancer and needing healthcare during the pandemic became challenging due to the competing risks of cancer progression versus COVID-19 infection [1,6]. To minimize hospital visits and the risk of COVID-19 for cancer patients, diagnostic and surgical procedures were delayed, treatment plans were altered, and routine follow-up visits were postponed [6].…”

Reassurance of patients with cancer on cancer care continuum: a vital strategy to prevent anxiety of COVID-19 collateral damage

“…A similar finding was noted in a recent study by Colomer-Lahiguera et al [ 3 ] showing the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care among main discussion points in the public online forums of patients with cancer. While all of our patients were under active treatment [ 2 ], only 27.6% of the patients were under active treatment in the present study [ 1 ]. Whether the rates of COVID-19–related cancer care disruption fear are different in patients under treatment or follow-up should be evaluated.…”

“…I read with great interest the remarkable study by Miaskowski et al [ 1 ] evaluating oncology patients’ perceptions and experiences with COVID-19. They reported a good level of COVID-19 knowledge and good compliance to COVID-19 precautions in their cohort.…”

“…However, a significant rate of COVID-19 contraction fear and the fear of poor outcomes in COVID-19 was concerning. A significant portion of the patients anticipated a low likelihood of survival after COVID-19 contraction [ 1 ].…”

“…Whether the rates of COVID-19-related cancer care disruption fear are different in patients under treatment or follow-up should be evaluated. Additionally, the outcomes of COVID-19 contraction and COVID-19-related cancer care disruption concerns were not thoroughly evaluated in the previous studies [1][2][3]. Whether these concerns lead to increased rates of psychological problems like depression, anxiety, and sleep problems should be evaluated in future studies.…”