Journal Article

Oncology patients’ perceptions of and experiences with COVID-19

Chen Lee May, Van Loon Katherine, Cohen, Bevin, Abbott, Maura, Cooper, Bruce A, Chang, Susan, Kenfield, Stacey A, Snowberg Karin, Paul, Steven M, Levine, Jon D, Tsai, Katy K, Pozzar Rachel, Laffan, Angela, Hammer, Marilyn J, Borno Hala, Miaskowski, Christine, Van Blarigan Erin L

2021

Overview

PurposeNo information is available on cancer patients’ knowledge of and experiences with COVID-19. We undertook an evaluation of differences in COVID-19 symptom occurrence rates, COVID-19 testing rates, clinical care activities, knowledge of COVID-19, and use of mitigation procedures between patients who were and were not receiving active cancer treatment.MethodsPatients enrolled were > 18 years of age; had a diagnosis of cancer; and were able to complete the emailed study survey online.ResultsOf the 174 patients who participated, 27.6% (n = 48) were receiving active treatment, 13.6% were unemployed because of COVID-19, 12.2% had been tested for COVID-19, and 0.6% had been hospitalized for COVID-19. Patients who were not on active treatment reported a higher mean number of COVID-19 symptoms (3.1 (± 4.2) versus 1.9 (± 2.6)), and patients who reported a higher number of COVID-19 symptoms were more likely to be tested. Over 55% of the patients were confident that their primary care provider could diagnose COVID-19, and the majority of the patients had high levels of adherence with the use of precautionary measures (e.g., social distancing, use of face coverings).ConclusionThe high level of COVID-19 symptoms and the significant overlap of COVID-19 and cancer-related symptoms pose challenges for clinicians who are assessing and triaging oncology patients for COVID-19 testing. For patients on active treatment, clinicians face challenges with how to assess and manage symptoms that, prior to COVID-19, would be ascribed to acute toxicities associated with cancer treatments or persistent symptoms in cancer survivors.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Ascription / Cancer / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / COVID-19 diagnostic tests / Disease management / Frequency of occurrence / Hospitalized / Medical diagnosis / Medical personnel / Medical treatment / Mitigation / Oncology / Pathophysiology / Patients / Primary care / Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 / Symptoms / Tests / Treatment methods / Unemployed people