The impact of COVID‐19 on the cancer care of adolescents and young adults and their well‐being: Results from an online survey conducted in the early stages of the pandemic

Abstract

Background Because of the global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), oncology departments across the world have rapidly adapted their cancer care protocols to balance the risk of delaying cancer treatments and the risk of COVID‐19 exposure. COVID‐19 and associated changes may have an impact on the psychosocial functioning of patients with cancer and survivors. This study was designed to determine the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on young people living with and beyond cancer. Methods In this cross‐sectional study, 177 individuals, aged 18 to 39 years, were surveyed about the impact of COVID‐19 on their cancer care and psychological well‐being. Participants also reported their information needs with respect to COVID‐19. Responses were summarized with a content analysis approach. Results This was the first study to examine the psychological functioning of young patients and survivors during the first weeks of the COVID‐19 pandemic. A third of the respondents reported increased levels of psychological distress, and as many as 60% reported feeling more anxious than they did before COVID‐19. More than half also wanted more information tailored to them as young patients with cancer. Conclusions The COVID‐19 pandemic is rapidly evolving and changing the landscape of cancer care. Young people living with cancer are a unique population and might be more vulnerable during this time in comparison with their healthy peers. There is a need to screen for psychological distress and attend to young people whose cancer care has been delayed. As the lockdown begins to ease, the guidelines about cancer care should be updated according to this population's needs.

No increase in psychosocial stress of Dutch children with cancer and their caregivers during the first months of the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Surprisingly, the only observed difference was a decrease in the proportion of distress in caregivers. Previous studies that examined COVID-19-related stress found that youth with cancer and their parents were concernedabout COVID-19 illness and severe complications,14,15 and that adolescents and young adults with cancer were at high risk for psychological distress during the COVID-19 outbreak 16. Our population may…”

“…Surprisingly, the only observed difference was a decrease in the proportion of distress in caregivers. Previous studies that examined COVID‐19–related stress found that youth with cancer and their parents were concerned about COVID‐19 illness and severe complications, 14,15 and that adolescents and young adults with cancer were at high risk for psychological distress during the COVID‐19 outbreak 16 . Our population may have been less concerned about COVID‐19, because healthcare professionals shared reassuring information from pediatric oncology centers in other countries from an early time point (i.e., information that suggested that children with cancer seemed relatively unaffected by COVID‐19).…”

Cancer or COVID-19? A Review of Guidelines for Safe Cancer Care in the Wake of the Pandemic

“…The risk of in-hospital COVID-19 death was significantly higher for non-hematologic malignancies diagnosed 1 to 5 years prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the risk for hematologic malignancies continued to remain high even after 5 years [105]. & Higher psychological and social distress resulting from isolation and distancing among cancer survivors in fear of worse COVID-19 infections may add to their overall risk to mental and physical health in adolescent and young adults [106].…”

Sollen Kinder onkologischer Patienten während der COVID-19-Pandemie Kitas oder Schulen besuchen?

“…Bei vielen onkologischen Patienten führt die COVID-19-Pandemie über das übliche Maß hinaus zu starker Verunsicherung und Belastung [ 4 ]. Für Familien mit einem krebserkrankten Elternteil und minderjährigen Kindern sind etablierte innerfamiliäre Alltagsabläufe sowohl durch die Erkrankung des Elternteils als auch durch die Pandemie kompromittiert, relevante Versorgungs- und Unterstützungsstrukturen sind nicht mehr oder nur eingeschränkt verfügbar.…”