Perception of the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose Significant changes in treatment centers were implemented during COVID-19 pandemics. Understanding how these alterations impacted cancer patients is a subject that needs to be investigated. Methods Patients who accepted to fill a hand paper questionnaire were included in this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was distributed between March 19 and April 30, 2020 (first emergency state in Portugal) at the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Coimbra Francisco Gentil. Results A total of 100 patients participated in the study, of whom 66% were female. The median age was 61 years old [29–89]. Patients presented low education levels (65% with 9 or less years of schooling), lived together (83%) and were undergoing palliate treatments (59%). The most significant reported change in health care were inability of having an accompanying person in medical appointments (64%). Association with the level of education, household, type of solid cancer or therapeutic purpose was not verified (Creamer-V-indicator < 0.4). The major concerns reported were being infected by SARS-Cov-2 due to an immunosuppressed state (65%) and the security of self/family/friends (53%). Patients with lower education were more worried about developing COVID-19 (p = 0.001) and of having limited access to medical care (p = 0.047). Patients in a curative therapeutic approach were more concerned about employment situation (p = 0.031) and had higher anxiety levels (p = 0.047). Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic is having a great impact in patients with cancer, namely in those who have a lower education level, live alone or those who therapeutic approach is curative. The implementation of measures to manage the psychologic impact of COVID-19 is urgent.