Elsevier

European Journal of Cancer

Volume 136, September 2020, Pages 132-139
European Journal of Cancer

Original Research
Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on cancer treatment: the patients’ perspective

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2020.06.019Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • Impact of COVID-19 on oncological care from cancer patients’ perspective.

  • 5302 patients with cancer completed a nationwide online survey.

  • 30% of the patients reported consequences for oncological treatment or follow-up.

  • The consequences were independent of regional differences in COVID-19 incidence.

  • This study indicates the need for psycho-oncological support during this pandemic.

Abstract

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has inevitable consequences for medical care of patients without COVID-19. To assess the impact of this pandemic on oncological care, a nationwide survey was conducted among patients with cancer in the Netherlands.

Methods

The patients' perspective on oncological care was investigated using an online survey between March 29th 2020 and April 18th 2020. The survey consisted of 20 questions on four topics: patients’ characteristics, contact with the hospital, consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about COVID-19.

Results

Five thousand three hundred two patients with cancer completed this nationwide survey. Overall, 30% of patients reported consequences for their oncological treatment or follow-up. In the majority of cases, this resulted in conversion from hospital visit to consultation by phone or video. The most frequently adjusted treatments were chemotherapy (30%) and immunotherapy (32%). Among patients with delay and discontinuation of treatment, 55% and 63% of patients, respectively, were (very) concerned about these consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequences were independent of regional differences in COVID-19 incidence. However, patients in regions with high COVID-19 incidence were significantly more concerned.

Conclusion

This is the first study investigating perspectives of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study demonstrates the significant impact of the COVID-19 crisis on oncological care, indicating the need for psycho-oncological support during this pandemic.

Keywords

Coronavirus
COVID-19
Pandemic
Cancer
Patients' perspective

Cited by (0)

3

Both authors contributed equally to the work and are considered first author.

4

Both authors contributed equally to the work and are considered last author.