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

Madam — The diagnosis of cancer leads to many psychological problems – 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 – cancer and coronavirus.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.