Abstract
The covid-19 pandemic has had a drastic effect on the entire cancer continuum through interruption, delays, and altered modes of screening, diagnosis, and treatment as well as follow-up and palliative care.12
Some countries responded swiftly to the pandemic by introducing strong public health measures.3 These countries experienced fewer infections and lower covid-19 mortality—in some cases (such as Vietnam) despite poor healthcare infrastructure, including cancer care. Even these countries had to reorganise their cancer services, but cancer care has been hardest hit in badly affected countries such as the US and the UK, with potentially greater effects on cancer outcomes.4 Now we must focus efforts on the rapid recovery of services, using lessons from this adversity to improve and redesign care across the entire cancer continuum.
Some countries responded swiftly to the pandemic by introducing strong public health measures.3 These countries experienced fewer infections and lower covid-19 mortality—in some cases (such as Vietnam) despite poor healthcare infrastructure, including cancer care. Even these countries had to reorganise their cancer services, but cancer care has been hardest hit in badly affected countries such as the US and the UK, with potentially greater effects on cancer outcomes.4 Now we must focus efforts on the rapid recovery of services, using lessons from this adversity to improve and redesign care across the entire cancer continuum.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | m2622 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | The BMJ |
| Volume | 370 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Jul 2020 |
Keywords
- cancer care
- COVID-19
- cancer patients
- cancer services
