IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-9-5-25212 Original Research Paper Cancer Care in COVID-19 Crisis: Pandemic of the 21st Century Poojar Sridhar Dr. Dr. Mahantesh A S Dr. Dr. Rasla Parween Dr. May 2020 9 5 01 02 ABSTRACT

Background of Study: A newly emerged human coronavirus (COVID–19) was reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. COVID–19 is transmitted through droplets generated during coughing and sneezing by symptomatic patients but can also occur from asymptomatic carriers. Cancer care is challenging in the current COVID–19 crisis. At present, about 13 lakhs new cancer cases reported in India. In Karnataka, about 78000 cancer cases are reported every year. Many studies have already reported smoking as the main risk factor for lung cancer. The ACE receptors are seen in very high level in smokers, which is also the nidus for the corona viral infection. Materials and Methodology: Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) has a Hospital Based Cancer Registry (HBCR) and more than one fourth cancer cases of Population Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) is from the base Institution. COVID–19 Incidence, Guidelines for management of COVID–19 is obtained from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Join point regression analysis was used to calculate the cancer trend and tabulation and graphs are used for descriptive analysis of COVID–19 Cases in Karnataka and India. Results: There is an exponential rise in COVID–19 positive cases. With this increasing trend all over the country, the number of cancer patients getting infected is also high because of immunocompromised state. After 2000, it observed 2.1 percent annual change in males and 2.2 percent annual change in females. Average annual percentage change (increasing cancer) for male cancers is 0.9% and 0.8% for females, a significant increasing trend for both the gender is observed in Bengaluru PBCR. Conclusion: In the present Health emergency of COVID–19 crisis, Cancer care is being affected by this pandemic disease. Increasing trend is seen in Cancer incidence in India and also in Karnataka. There is exponential increase of COVID–19 positive cases in India and Karnataka. Delay or long postponement in Cancer treatment will result in compromising local control rate and overall survival. COVID–19 screening and testing must be done compulsorily before starting cancer treatment. Shorter treatment regimens with minimal human resource wherever possible must be considered. Chemoprophylaxis with hydroxy chloroquine to the cancer patients might be beneficial as these drugs also has anti–cancer effects.