Cancer care during COVID-19: Data from 157 patient organizations.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18564-e18564
Author(s):  
Lorna Warwick ◽  
Elisabeth Baugh ◽  
Fatima Cardoso ◽  
Rachel H. Giles ◽  
Alex Filicevas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Patient ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Cancer Services ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
The Impact

e18564 Background: Representatives from 8 global cancer coalitions/alliances, representing 650 cancer patient groups and the interests of over 14 million patients have come together during the pandemic to review and evaluate the patient-perspective impact. Cancer services have faced challenges as a result of COVID-19, including suspension of screening and diagnostic services; delays in diagnosis leading to higher mortality rates; cancellation/deferral of life-saving treatments; changes in treatment regimens and suspension of vital research. For organisations that provide support to cancer patients, declining income, the need to reduce staff and move to virtual working practices has put extra strain while demand for support due to the pandemic has increased. Methods: 5 coalitions surveyed their member organisations. A number of coalitions consulted their members by individual surveys or consultations. Results: A survey of 157 organisations representing advanced breast, bladder, lymphoma, ovarian and pancreatic cancer patient groups from 56 countries found that 57% experienced an average increase of 44% in patient calls and emails. 45% reported that their future viability may be under threat because of the impact of COVID-19 on income. Examples of good practice were reported where healthcare systems have acted to protect patients and cancer services. These include the introduction of COVID-free centres, separation of cancer patients from those who may have COVID-19, and the introduction of virtual and telemedicine services. Organisations have also introduced new ways of working including virtual psychological support services and app-based support groups. These best practices should form part of a global plan of action for future health crisis. Conclusions: Collaboration between patient advocacy organisations, governments and health services is needed to ensure the ground lost to the COVID-19 pandemic is regained. Action is required to restore cancer services safely and effectively without delay. Additional resources for organisations that support cancer patients are required to ensure that they continue to provide vital services. Finally, a global plan of action for cancer is required to meet the challenges of any future health crisis.

scholarly journals Cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic: systematic review of patients' and caregivers' experiences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Symran Dhada ◽  
Derek Stewart ◽  
Ejaz Cheema ◽  
Muhammed Abdul Hadi ◽  
Vibhu Paudyal
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
English Language ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Cancer Services ◽  
Data Extraction Form ◽  
The Impact

Background Cancer patients have faced intersecting crises in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. This review aimed to examine patients' and caregivers' experiences of accessing cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived impact of the pandemic on their psychological wellbeing. Methods A protocol-led (CRD42020214906) systematic review was conducted by searching six databases including EMBASE, MEDLINE and CINAHL for articles published in English-language between 1/2020-12/2020. Data were extracted using a pilot-tested, structured data extraction form. Thematic synthesis of data was undertaken and reported as per the PRISMA guideline. Results A total of 1110 articles were screened of which 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies originated from 10 different countries including the US, UK, India and China. Several themes were identified which were categorised into seven categories. Postponement and delays in cancer screening and treatment, drug shortages and inadequate nursing care were commonly experienced by patients. Hospital closures, resource constraints, national lockdowns and patient reluctance to use health services because of infection worries contributed to the delay. Financial and social distress, isolation; and spiritual distress due to the uncertainty of rites as well as fulfilment of last wishes were also commonly reported. Caregivers felt anxious about infecting cancer patients with COVID-19. Conclusions Patients and caregivers experienced extensive impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening, treatment and care, and their own psychological wellbeing. Patient and caregiver views and preferences should be incorporated in ensuring resilient cancer services that can minimise the impact of ongoing and future pandemic on cancer care and mitigate patient fears.

scholarly journals Cancer Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review of Patients’ and Caregivers’ Experiences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Symran Dhada ◽  
Derek Stewart ◽  
Ejaz Cheema ◽  
Muhammed Abdul Hadi ◽  
Vibhu Paudyal
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
English Language ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Cancer Services ◽  
Data Extraction Form ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Cancer patients have faced intersecting crises in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. This review aimed to examine patients’ and caregivers’ experiences of accessing cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived impact of the pandemic on their psychological wellbeing.Methods A protocol-led (CRD42020214906) systematic review was conducted by searching six databases including EMBASE, MEDLINE and CINAHL for articles published in English-language between 1/2020-12/2020. Data were extracted using a pilot-tested, structured data extraction form. Thematic synthesis of data was undertaken and reported as per the PRISMA guideline. Results A total of 1110 articles were screened of which 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies originated from 10 different countries including the US, UK, India and China. Several themes were identified which were categorised into seven categories. Postponement and delays in cancer screening and treatment, drug shortages and inadequate nursing care were commonly experienced by patients. Hospital closures, resource constraints, national lockdowns and patient reluctance to use health services because of infection worries contributed to the delay. Financial and social distress, isolation; and spiritual distress due to the uncertainty of rites as well as fulfilment of last wishes were also commonly reported. Caregivers felt anxious about infecting cancer patients with COVID-19. Conclusions Patients and caregivers experienced extensive impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening, treatment and care, and their own psychological wellbeing. Patient and caregiver views and preferences should be incorporated in ensuring resilient cancer services that can minimise the impact of ongoing and future pandemic on cancer care and mitigate patient fears. Protocol Registration Published protocol registered with Centre for Review and Dissemination CRD42020214906 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=214906)

scholarly journals Case Report: Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia in a Pancreatic Cancer Patient After Vaccination With Messenger RNA−1273

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Po-Hsu Su ◽  
Yi-Ching Yu ◽  
Wen-Hsin Chen ◽  
Hsuan-Ching Lin ◽  
Yih-Ting Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Risk Evaluation ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Patient ◽  
Platelet Factor ◽  
Pandemic Vaccine ◽  
D Dimer

Vaccination plays an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a major adverse effect that could be lethal. For cancer patients, cancer-related thromboembolism is another lethal complication. When cancer patients receive their COVID-19 vaccines, the following thromboembolic events will be more complicated. We presented a case recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, who had received the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccination 12 days prior. Ischemic stroke and VITT were also diagnosed. We aggressively treated the patient with steroids, immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange. The titer of anti-platelet factor four and d-dimer level decreased, but the patient ultimately died. The complicated condition of VITT superimposed cancer-related thromboembolism was considered. To our knowledge, only one case of mRNA-1273 related VITT was reported, and this case study was the first to report a cancer patient who was diagnosed with VITT after mRNA-1273 vaccination. Therefore, when the need for vaccination among cancer patients increased under the current COVID-19 pandemic, the possible risk of VITT for cancer patients should be carefully managed. Further studies of the risk evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccine in cancer patients might be required in the future.

Breast cancer patient access to social work

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-543
Author(s):  
Yuko K Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Breast Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Area ◽  
Oncology Social Work ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Office Location

Summary This study was conducted to understand the impact of oncology social work office location on breast cancer patients’ access and utilization of social work services. It also explored the current status of oncology social work offices and the perceptions among Association of Oncology Social Work Listserv members. The frequency and types of interventions and referral time were determined retrospectively. Association of Oncology Social Work Listserv members were surveyed. Findings From 461 new breast cancer patient charts, 52 were referred to social work during study period. Face-to-face interventions decreased by 0.8 contact ( p = .0221) and telephone interventions increased by 1.8 contacts ( p = .0293) after social work office was relocated away from clinical area. Referral time to social work services decreased unexpectedly by 14.5 days ( p = .076) after office relocation. Association of Oncology Social Work Listserv survey results identify an office location as possible barrier, though most respondents have a private office in clinical area, accessible to patients. Survey finding is limited due to low response rate. Applications There are many challenges to ensuring timey and effective delivery of social work services to breast cancer patients. Social Ecological framework is used to understand the impacts of office location on access to social work services. Study results suggest that office relocation has had mix impacts on patients. Raising awareness of social worker services among patients early in cancer trajectory is needed for patient empowerment and to ensure access to social work services. Further research is needed to understand barriers, identify effective strategies in order to guide and improve clinical practice.

scholarly journals NQPC-10 (Rare) Cancer patients’ unmet needs (patient-focused healthcare needs) survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi22-vi22
Author(s):  
Laureline Gatellier ◽  
Yuko Moue ◽  
Tomohiro Matsuda
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Genomic Medicine ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Rare Cancer ◽  
Rare Cancers ◽  
Patient Groups

Abstract Background: Rare Cancers Japan (RCJ) consists of members of 20 rare cancer patient groups and individual rare cancer patients, including the Japan Brain Tumor Alliance (JBTA), the Pediatric Brain Tumor Network, and the DIPG Symposium Organizing Committee, and aims to solve the challenges of rare cancers. RCJ, together with the National Cancer Center Japan and the Japan Federation of Cancer Patient Groups is currently conducting a survey to clarify unmet needs of patients, as a follow-up survey to surveys conducted in 2018. Since then, a major paradigm shift happened in Japan, with the advent of genomic medicine and development of new treatments. This study plans to identify the latest unmet needs of cancer patients and to clarify the differences between cancer types to provide data for the improvement of healthcare systems.Purpose: Focusing on unmet needs of cancer patients, we conduct an online questionnaire survey of a total of 1,600 cancer patients (including brain tumor patients) regarding the following endpoints (1) detection and diagnosis, (2) treatment, (3) genomic medicine (access to genetic mutation testing), (4) clinical trials, (5) necessary information, medical care and support systems and (6) quality of life. The collected information will be analyzed to clarify the needs of patients and the nature of patient-centered healthcare. Method: The survey will be administered online, including a mix of open-ended and multiple-choice questions. The total number of questions, including respondent demographics, is 38, and the time required to answer them is expected to be between 15 and 20 minutes. Data analysis will take into account cancer type of cancer, gender, age group and region of residence of the respondent.Expected results: By February 2022, the results of the survey are expected to be available, as basis of discussion to improve brain tumor treatment and follow up, from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Sexual Health, Fertility, and Relationships in Cancer Care

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Practice Assessment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cancer And Oncology

This book, from the International Psycho-oncology Society, is the second in a series of Companion Guides for Clinicians. The series editors identified a need for a guide to focus on the impact of cancer and oncology treatments on sexual health, fertility, and relationships. This brief manual takes a psycho-oncology perspective, placing the emotional, behavioral, and social elements at the center of the topics covered in the chapters. The aim is to describe approaches and treatments that cancer clinicians, mental health professionals, psycho-oncologists in training, and allied psychosocial oncology professionals can use. It emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary care. The guide is not intended to replace national clinical guidelines and policies but gives a more generic international overview of factors that need to be considered when dealing with these issues in cancer patients along the treatment trajectory. Topics include management of sexual health, onco-fertility care, and relationship issues. The manual covers standards of good practice across all cancer patients, as well as focusing on the needs of individuals, couples, young people, and LGBT+ groups in a pragmatic format for use in everyday practice. Assessment methods are covered, alongside psychological treatments, encompassing a range of patient ages and cancer types. Policies and service, legal, ethical, confidentiality, and communication issues are covered. This manual can be used for quick reference. This will suit oncology professionals who decide to look further into a topic on a case-by-case or problem-focused basis as they undertake clinical work.

A trial of vaccination with the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) peptide CAP 1–6D with montanide ISA 51 adjuvant or granulocyte- macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in HLA-A2+ patients with CEA producing adenocarcinomas of gastrointestinal (GI) track

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 13513-13513
Author(s):  
R. P. Whitehead ◽  
K. Jantz ◽  
A. Simmons
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Metastatic Disease ◽  
Elispot Assay ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Patient ◽  
Histologic Diagnosis ◽  
Gm Csf

13513 Advances in drug therapy have improved the survival of patients with GI tumors but most patients with metastatic disease are not cured. Immunotherapy is an additional modality of treatment. In this trial, the CEA peptide, CAP 1–6D, was combined with either GM-CSF or montanide ISA 51 as adjuvants and used to vaccinate patients with CEA producing GI tumors. End points were development of peptide responsive immunity, toxicity, and anti-tumor effects. To be eligible, patients were required to have a histologic diagnosis of adenocaricnoma of GI tract origin with a life expectancy of at least 6 months and to have either metastatic disease or to have completed standard adjuvant therapy after resection. Patients were required to have a CEA producing tumor, be HLA-A2 positive, have a performance status of 0–1, test negative for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and have adequate bone marrow, liver and kidney function. Treatment consisted of 1 mg of CAP 1–6D peptide combined with either 250 ug of GM-CSF given intradermally, or 2 ml of Montanide ISA 51 given subcutaneously every 3 weeks for 6 treatments. Blood was drawn for ELISpot assay at each visit. Nine (out of a planned 10) patients, 8 with colorectal cancer and 1 with pancreatic cancer, were entered before the peptide was deemed expired and withdrawn from clinical use by the NCI. Of five colorectal patients with metastatic disease at baseline 4 progressed and 1 had stable disease. The pancreatic cancer patient was treated adjuvantly but progressed during therapy. Three colorectal cancer patients treated adjuvantly were free of disease at baseline and at the completion of therapy. Treatments were well tolerated. ELISpot data on 5 patients showed that 4 patients developed peptide responsive immunity. Responsive patients included those receiving either GM-CSF or Montanide ISA 51 and both adjuvantly treated and progressive metastatic colorectal patients and the progressed pancreatic cancer patient. This vaccine regimen can be safely given to cancer patients and can produce peptide responsive immunity in the ELISpot assay but this does not correlate with clinical anti-tumor effect. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Saudi Cancer Patient Experience: Benchmarking a single center report to the United Kingdom National Experience.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14138-e14138
Author(s):  
Hoda Jradi ◽  
Alanood Abdulaziz Alharbi ◽  
Maali Omar Alrashed ◽  
Mishael Ali Alshoaibi ◽  
Mohammad Alkaiyat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Patient Experience ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
National Guard ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk

e14138 Background: Diagnosis and treatment of cancer are regarded as stressful experiences impacting the patients and their families. This study aims at comparing the Saudi cancer patient experience with the United Kingdom cancer patient experience throughout their continuum of care. Methods: Results from the United Kingdom (UK) National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES 2017) were compared to the reported results from the experience of 100 cancer patients for the same year at the National Guard Health affairs Health system in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Similar concepts relating to the experience were investigated and compared. Results: Compared to the UK survey, the Saudi survey had mainly higher score regarding receiving an overall positive cancer care. Scores related to provision of clear answers to all important questions, judging the hospital staff as always working well together, and family members being given the opportunity to communicate with the doctor were significantly higher among Saudis. The UK patient scored significantly higher on receiving information about diagnostic tests, treatment side effects, and discharge instructions, and being informed about support groups and on-going cancer research. Conclusions: The overall experience of the Saudi cancer patients compared favorably to the UK cancer patients; however, in the domain of information provision as an essential part of the cancer experience is still lacking in the Saudi cancer care approach. Quality improvement should focus on the findings of this study for better health outcomes. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals Impact of Pathologist Involvement in Sarcoma and Rare Tumor Patient Support Groups on Facebook: A Survey of 542 Patients and Family Members

2018 ◽  
Vol 142 (9) ◽  
pp. 1113-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Haller ◽  
Marjorie Parker David ◽  
Nathan E. Lee ◽  
Sara C. Shalin ◽  
Jerad M. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Epithelioid Sarcoma ◽  
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans ◽  
Aggressive Angiomyxoma ◽  
Patient Support ◽  
Tumor Patient ◽  
Rare Tumors ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
The Impact

Context.— Patients with rare tumors have difficulty finding reliable information about their disease. Facebook patient support groups allow patients to educate one another. Objective.— To investigate how these patients perceive the value of pathologists, both in Facebook groups and real-world patient care. Design.— Survey links were posted in 12 Facebook patient groups: 6 with an active pathologist member (angiosarcoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, epithelioid sarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans [×2], and desmoid fibromatosis), and 6 without “active” pathologist involvement (aggressive angiomyxoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, and osteosarcoma). Results.— A total of 542 people responded (403 were patients): 264 from groups with a pathologist, and 278 from groups without active pathologist involvement. Of groups with an active pathologist, respondents agreed the pathologist's posts helped them better understand their disease (107 of 119; 90%) and relieved some of their disease-related anxiety (92 of 119; 77%). And for these groups 98% (117 of 119) of respondents agreed that having a pathologist in their group was a good thing; 83% (192 of 232) wanted more pathologists involved. More respondents from groups with an active pathologist (219 of 236; 93%) than without one (215 of 252; 85%) agreed: “pathologists are an important part of the patient care team for patients with cancer and other rare tumors” (P = .008). Conclusions.— This study is the first to evaluate the impact of pathologist interaction with Facebook patient support groups and to assess perceptions about the specialty of pathology from a large group of patients with rare tumors. Pathologist involvement in Facebook patient groups appears to positively influence patient perception of the importance of pathologists. We hope these data will encourage more pathologists to participate in Facebook patient support groups.

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