The current state of the U.S. healthcare system, as well as those around the world, is focused on the treatment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as vaccine development. State governments have been implementing numerous restrictions in order to limit contact between individuals in order to “flatten the curve”. The goal of “flattening the curve” is to prevent the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed and exceeding the capacity of the resources we have available to treat coronavirus patients. All of these measures being taken and the focus shift of the healthcare system is extremely essential in order to overcome this pandemic; however, what about the patients with disabilities or illnesses that require constant care?

Cancer Patients in a Pandemic

“Patients with cancer and those who have recently completed treatment are finding it challenging to get necessary health care in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are experiencing financial stress trying to afford care in an increasingly difficult economic environment.” – The ASCO Post

Imagine not only the increased difficulty in having access to the necessary treatments that are necessary as a cancer patient but to also be living in constant fear of even attempting to receive outside treatment as a result of having a compromised immune system. However, when these patients did seek out care, they reported experiencing delays in terms of physician appointments, imaging, surgical procedures, etc. Now, consider the fact that the unemployment rate and financial stress is the highest it’s been since the last depression. This is also having an immense impact on the lives of a number of patients diagnosed with cancer by being unable to afford treatment, particularly since a number of insurance plans do not cover an oral form of chemotherapy which can be taken at home so that patients don’t have to go out to a treatment center. Thankfully, there are a number of groups such as The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network that are urging action and calling on Congress to make the necessary changes in order to allow these patients to receive the care they need.

Cancer Research in a Pandemic

“Yes, NCI is responding to the COVID-19 crisis. But, like all of you, we are also maintaining a clear focus on advancing our cancer research mission. We understand that, due to the COVID-19 crisis, institutions have had to introduce extraordinary measures. Some, for example, have stopped accruing patients for clinical trials. We respect the need for such actions.” – National Cancer Institute

As it should be, a number of areas in the U.S. healthcare system are allocating their resources towards COVID-19. Research projects being done under the NCI are shifting their focus towards studying the effects of the novel coronavirus on cancer patients. Although such measures are extremely necessary, this has inevitably taken a toll on a number of current cancer research projects. Just as chemotherapy and surgery is crucial, the progression of cancer research is also essential in terms of learning more about the disease and developing new forms of treatment.

Resources

National Cancer Institute. Cancer Research in the Era of COVID-19. (2020, May 14). Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://www.cancer.gov/grants-training/nci-bottom-line-blog/2020/cancer-research-in-the-era-of-covid-19

The ASCO Post. Survey Shows COVID-19 Pandemic Is Affecting Patients’ Access to Cancer Care. (2020, April 21). Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://www.ascopost.com/news/april-2020/survey-shows-covid-19-pandemic-is-affecting-patients-access-to-cancer-care/