key: cord-0827827-scgmk543
authors: Patni, N.; Hota, A.; Patni, A.; Misra, P.
title: Cancer During the Coronavirus Pandemic – As if One Problem Was Not Enough!
date: 2020-10-20
journal: Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol)
DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2020.10.007
sha: a24c54ceb62296f136c876af94a7e3cdf90416e3
doc_id: 827827
cord_uid: scgmk543

nan

Cancer During the Coronavirus Pandemic e As if One Problem Was Not Enough! Madam d The diagnosis of cancer leads to many psychological problems e denial, self-pity, guilt, change in interpersonal relationships, loss of job, self-image, fear of lifelong morbidity, fear of death, managing logistics of treatment and prolonged follow-up. The suffering of cancer patients has further increased due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic [1, 2] . Considering the pervasive and diverse effect the coronavirus pandemic is having on cancer patients [3] , we carried out a systematic qualitative analysis of newly diagnosed and under-treatment patients between 1 June 2020 and 6 July 2020. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive and hospital-based study conducted at a tertiary care oncology super specialty hospital in western India. In total, 294 patients were interviewed.

Among our subjects, cancer diagnosis and treatment were delayed in 25.17% and 61.90%, respectively, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Despite the huge psychological impact cancer has, 15% of our patients were more worried about coronavirus infection and 63.2% of patients thought they would have a better chance of cure if it were not for the coronavirus pandemic. Significant levels (moderate to severe) of anxiety and depression were noticed in 28.91% and 26.50% of patients, respectively, which could be attributed to worsening of instrumental and/or emotional support in nearly 59% during the coronavirus pandemic. Another noteworthy observation was that 35% of the patients were dissatisfied with the distancing between them and the doctors. In a study, half of neuro-oncology patients preferred the face-to-face consultations rather than telephone clinics [4] .

Without compromising the outcomes, we may have to regularly treat COVID-19-positive cancer patients as there seems to be no relief from the pandemic in the near future [5] . With coronavirus infection looming all over, the psychological issues of cancer patients have exacerbated. It is important to reassure them that it is safe and essential to seek medical advice with due precautions. It is imperative to address the mental health of cancer patients to mitigate their anxiety and depression as they fight against two devils e cancer and coronavirus.

Prevalence of mental health conditions in cancer patients in acute care e a meta-analysis

Cancer patients in Covid-19 era: swimming against the tide

The fear of COVID-19 and its role in preventive behaviors

Patient-reported experience measure for neuro-oncology telephone clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown -implications of the double trouble on radiotherapy practice in India

0936-6555/Ó 2020 The Royal College of Radiologists

Cancer During the Coronavirus Pandemic e As if One Problem Was Not Enough!

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.N. Patni*, A. Hotay, A. Patniz, P. Misray