But is COVID-19 to blame?
“Whether the threat of dark statistics is genuine or not, it will only be evident in the long run when the most powerful effects of studies and records in the genuine world are available,” said Dr. Stefan Zimmermann, ESMO press officer, at the opening press convention of the “Right now, it is valid to wonder if there are other points beyond COVID-19 that lately are pushing on oncology because the pandemic has also revealed some weaknesses how cancer care is funded and organized,” he added.
Prior to the pandemic, the burden of cancer in Europe was estimated through the ECIS – European Cancer Information System (1) to succeed in 2. 7 million new cases and 1. 3 million deaths through 2020. However, the COVID-19 epidemic has put unprecedented pressure on physical fitness. systems around the world.
An exam (2) to be presented at the ESMO 2020 Virtual Congress highlights the extent to which COVID-19 has challenged the organization and delivery of cancer care. Responses were received from oncology centres in 18 countries. Overall, 60. 9% reported that clinical activity was reduced at the peak of the pandemic, while nearly two-thirds (64. 2%) clinical activity was reduced, subtreation cited as a major fear, and 37% expected significant relief in this year’s clinical trials.
Study writer DrGuy Jerusalem of Sart Tilman University Hospital, Belgium, said: “COVID-19 has had a primary effect on the organization of patient care, on the well-being of caregivers and on clinical trial activities. There is a threat that the diagnosis of cancer cases will be delayed and more patients will be diagnosed at a later level of their disease. “
Knowledge also revealed that the highest and maximum possible canceled or delayed cancer remedies were surgery (in 44. 1% of centers), chemotherapy (25. 7%) radiation therapy (13. 7%), while 32. 1 observed a pre-palliative care ending. % , centers.
The effect of COVID-19 on international patient care is also highlighted in another study (3) that collected information from 356 cancer centers in 54 countries in April 2020, 54% and 45% report coronavirus cases among their patients and staff. And if a part (55%) has preemptively cut off facilities, others have been forced to do so after having passed the stage (20%) or because of a shortage of non-public protective devices (19%), workers’ bodies (18%) medicines (9. 8%).
As a result, 46% of the centers reported that more than one in 10 patients had lost at least one remedy cycle, and some estimated that up to 80% of patients were exposed to harm.
To continue to provide remedy to pandemic patients, maximum centers (83. 6%) have been adapted, through the creation of virtual clinics and virtual tumor tables (93%), and more than part of the respondents suggest that it will continue beyond the pandemic (55. 5%). 60%, respectively). The centres also conducted regimen tests in laboratories near patients’ homes (76%) and sent medicines to patients (68%) for treatment to continue.
The study’s writer, Dr. Abdul-Rahman Jazieh of King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said: “The destructive effect of COVID-19 on cancer care is widespread, with a variable magnitude among centers around the world. it can have an effect on fitness systems around the world, disrupting care and exposing cancer patients to risks of significant harm. “
“Even before the pandemic, pressure on systems and fitness professionals was expanding due to the growing burden of cancer in Europe and around the world,” dr. Rosa Giuliani, Director of Public Policy at ESMO. “Eu harmonised action providing comparable signals of the burden of cancer in European countries is incredibly important In this context, JRC-CIRC clinical collaboration has resulted in the calculation of updated figures for 2020 new cancer cases and cancer deaths. , address the growing burden of cancer through prevention measures and the provision of mandatory resources. “
Cancer patients aren’t the only ones at risk. The effects of two online surveys conducted through the ESMO Resilience Working Group in May 2020 (4), the largest COVID-19 survey ever conducted among oncology staff, reveal the effect of the pandemic on oncology professionals. The first survey showed that more than a third (38%) emotions of exhaustion and 25% were at risk of distress, while two-thirds (66%) claimed that they could not perform their tasks as well as before during the pandemic period.
The survey, which involved 1,520 participants from 101 countries, also found that grades of well-being and functionality in paints declined as national COVID-19-related mortality rates increased. An online follow-up survey conducted in July-August 2020 showed that the functionality In the paintings had been advanced to the first study, indicating the first symptoms of emergency control, welfare and exhaustion rates had deteriorated.
The main points related to misery and exhaustion were increased running hours, a sense of fear for well-being, reduced recoverability and the fears of oncologists about careers.
“Surveys from the ESMO Resilience Working Group imply that COVID-19 has an effect on well-being, exhaustion and functionality in paintings,” dr. Susana Banerjee, Director of Membership of ESMO and principal editor of the surveys. An oncology community, we will have to work collaboratively, Americans and organizations, to ensure that resources are used in the most productive way imaginable to help oncology professionals and ensure that misery and exhaustion do not increase. we seek to expand interventions so that we can give an extra hand and help oncology professionals during and beyond the pandemic. “