Psychological distress during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (<scp>COVID</scp>‐19) pandemic among cancer survivors and healthy controls

Ng, Danielle Wing Lam; Chan, Frank; Barry, Tom J.; Lam, Cherry; Chong, Ching Y.; Kok, Hiu C. S.; Liao, Qiuyan; Fielding, Richard; Lam, Wendy Wing Tak

doi:10.1002/pon.5437

Cited by 62 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Twenty-six percent of this sample reported shielding which is expected given the average age and comorbidities reported. In line with previous cancer research [18], only 15% reported feeling more at risk of contracting COVID-19. Perceived risk and severity of COVID-19…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…It may be assumed that cancer survivors will experience higher psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic due to perceived vulnerability [15] and concerns around disruption of follow-up care [8], however the limited available empirical evidence is mixed [17][18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is therefore a need to understand the short-and long-term impact of the pandemic in this group and to identify factors associated with heightened distress to formulate effective interventions [19]. Although data are starting to emerge [18], these are limited to quantitative surveys. Qualitative analysis allows a deeper exploration of the lived experience which is particularly important during novel situations such as the pandemic [20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Hughes et al. (2020) 'I feel cancer patients have been neglected'.

Hughes¹,

Zuchowski²,

Boshell³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose This study aimed to explore the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic including Government-enforced restrictions, on women diagnosed with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer in the UK using a mixed-methods approach. MethodsDepression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-7), optimism (LOT-R) and perceived risk of recurrence (IPQ-BCS) were measured pre-COVID-19 outbreak and perceived vulnerability, severity and impact of COVID-19 were measured during the UK lockdown period of 23rd March-13th May 2020. Free text responses provided qualitative data. Descriptive statistics regarding COVID-19-specific behaviours and correlations between pre-COVID-19 psychosocial factors and COVID-19 outcomes were conducted. Thematic analysis was conducted on qualitative responses. Quantitative and qualitative data are presented together.Results253 responses were received during the UK lockdown period. Twenty-six percent of the sample were shielding and 15% felt at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Higher pre-COVID-19 depression and anxiety and lower optimism were associated with higher perceived vulnerability to and severity of COVID-19 and lower confidence in protecting oneself. There were positive and negative effects of lockdown on exercise and relationships and 42% reported negative impacts on anxiety. Participants reported fear of COVID-19, difficulties with adapting to isolation and using technology, and anxiety about the impact of delayed cancer treatment on their cancer recovery and recurrence. ConclusionsNegative effects of lockdown, particularly for delayed cancer treatment should be considered to manage ongoing anxiety. Screening of state depression and anxiety is suggested for intervention prioritisation, but more longitudinal research is needed to understand the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer survivors.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Hughes et al. (2020) 'I feel cancer patients have been neglected'.

Hughes¹,

Zuchowski²,

Boshell³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Strict social distancing restrictions across jurisdictions have also reduced access to social and support networks that some survivors may have previously depended upon for physical and psychosocial support [13]. Preliminary research also indicates that cancer survivors are more prone to catastrophizing and health anxiety in relation to COVID-19 compared to healthy controls [23]. Thus, the limited literature currently available provides initial indications that the COVID-19 pandemic may detrimentally affect the psychosocial and physical wellbeing of some survivors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nekhlyudov et al [13] highlighted that the pandemic may disproportionately impact the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of cancer survivors due to the requirement to maintain physical distancing from their social and support networks and increased anxiety related to cancellation, postponement, or modi cation of follow-up visits and cancer surveillance. Notably, Ng et al [23] found that cancer survivors demonstrated greater catastrophizing and health anxiety (but less psychological distress) compared to healthy controls.…”

Section: Psychosocial and Physical Wellbeingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic rapid living review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survivors: update to August 27th, 2020

Jammu

Chasen

Lofters

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in drastic changes in the global healthcare delivery landscape and has had practical repercussions for cancer survivors. This systematic rapid living review has been undertaken to synthesize the available knowledge regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in a timely manner. This initial rapid review will present the findings of literature published up to August 27, 2020.Design: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases was conducted to identify all articles, available in English language, regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survivors published between December 2019 and August 27, 2020. The search strategy employed the following search strings: “covid-19 OR coronavirus OR sars-cov-2” with “cancer survivors OR cancer survivorship”.Results: The database search yielded 1639 articles, of which 19 were included. Of the 19 selected articles, there were 12 expert opinions articles, two literature reviews, two prospective cohort studies, one retrospective cohort study, one descriptive study and one pooled meta-analysis that comment on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical wellbeing (16 articles), psychosocial wellbeing (15 articles) and financial wellbeing of cancer survivors (3 articles).Conclusions: Limited definitive evidence exists regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survivors. Currently available literature provides preliminary indications of wide-ranging impacts of the pandemic on cancer survivors with respect to the requirement to adapt to new means of healthcare delivery as well as their physical, psychosocial and economic wellbeing. The pandemic has left survivors dealing with the consequences of rigorous cancer treatment in the context of new challenges related to social isolation, financial hardship and uncertainty with respect to their ongoing care. Additional rigorously designed research initiatives are required to elucidate the impact of the pandemic on cancer survivors.

show abstract

Examining the association among fear of COVID‐19, psychological distress, and delays in cancer care

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Given the high risk of COVID-19 mortality, patients with cancer may be vulnerable to fear of COVID-19, adverse psychological outcomes, and health care delays.Methods: This longitudinal study surveyed the pandemic's impact on patients with cancer (N= 1529) receiving Patient Advocate Foundation services during early and later pandemic. Generalized estimating equation with repeated measures was conducted to assess the effect of COVID-19 on psychological distress. Logistic regression with repeated measures was used to assess the effect of COVID-19 on any delays in accessing health care (e.g., specialty care doctors, laboratory, or diagnostic testing, etc.).Results: Among 1199 respondents, 94% considered themselves high risk for COVID-19. Respondents with more fear of COVID-19 had a higher mean psychological distress score (10.21; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 9.38-11.03) compared to respondents with less fear (7.55; 95% CI 6.75-8.36). Additionally, 47% reported delaying care. Respondents with more fear of COVID-19 had higher percentages of delayed care than those with less (56; 95% CI 39%-72% vs. 44%; 95% CI 28%-61%). These relationships persisted throughout the pandemic. For respondents with a COVID-19 diagnosis in their household (n = 116), distress scores were similar despite higher delays in care (58% vs. 27%) than those without COVID-19.Conclusions: Fear of COVID-19 is linked to psychological distress and delays in care among patients with cancer. Furthermore, those who are personally impacted see exacerbated cancer care delays. Timely psychosocial support and health care coordination are critical to meet increased care needs of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

show abstract

Psychological distress during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID‐19) pandemic among cancer survivors and healthy controls

Cited by 62 publications

References 11 publications

Hughes et al. (2020) 'I feel cancer patients have been neglected'.

Hughes et al. (2020) 'I feel cancer patients have been neglected'.

Systematic rapid living review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survivors: update to August 27th, 2020

Examining the association among fear of COVID‐19, psychological distress, and delays in cancer care

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About