Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Care - An Oncologist Perspective

Dr. Mukesh Bang; Dr. Smita Bang; Dr. Sweta Gandhi; Dr. Rahul Gandhi; Dr. Jay Toshniwal; Dr. Archana T; Dr. Raja T

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Care - An Oncologist Perspective

Dr. Mukesh Bang, Dr. Smita Bang, Dr. Sweta Gandhi, Dr. Rahul Gandhi, Dr. Jay Toshniwal, Dr. Archana T, Dr. Raja T

Abstract :

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV–2), has become the most talked–about clinical entity in early 2020. Health–care services are rapidly transforming their organization and workforce in response to the COVID–19 pandemic. These changes, and a desire to mitigate infection risk, are having profound effects on other vital aspects of care, including the care of patients with cancer. Difficult decisions are being made regarding the prioritization of both active treatments and palliative care, despite limited evidence that cancer is an independent risk factor for infection and mortality. In this article, we tried to analyze the impact of COVID–19 on Cancer care. Management presents its own set of challenges deciding whether postponing cancer treatment until the infection resolves is going to benefit the patient and how to organize all aspects of patient care when social contact is as limited as it is for patients newly diagnosed with COVID–19.