Abstract S11-01: Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers
Authors: Leader Amy , Selvan Preethi , Capparella Lisa , Cammy Rebecca , Palidora Janene , Shimada Ayako , Leiby Benjamin , Garber Gregory , Worster Brooke 
Published: December 2020

Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic created significant and unprecedented disruptions in in medical care and social services. Cancer patients are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection due to their immunosuppressive state and may fare worse than others who are COVID-19 positive because of their aggressive underlying disease. While presumed to be substantial, the extent of the impact of the pandemic on cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers was unknown.

Methods: Between April 23, 2020 and May 19, 2020, our urban, NCI-designated cancer center launched a “COVID and Cancer” survey for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. The purpose of the survey was to assess disruptions to cancer care, use and perceptions of telemedicine, access to social services and cancer support programs, and psychosocial well-being. The online survey was distributed through our cancer center’s email list for patient and survivor programming, via the electronic patient portal to patients in active treatment, and across our cancer center’s social media platforms. Descriptive statistics reported mean scores and frequencies while bivariate statistics reported differences in outcomes by respondent characteristics. The protocol and survey were approved by our Institutional Review Board.

Results: In less than one month and in the height of the pandemic, 1,107 people completed the survey. After removing duplicate and incomplete responses, the final sample of 985 respondents included 377 (38%) patients in active treatment, 576 (56%) survivors, and 18 (2%) caregivers. Fifty-six percent (n=555) were female; the mean age of respondents was 63 years old (SD= 11.9). Seventy-two percent (n=705) of respondents had solid tumor cancers while some had either a heme malignancy (22%) or both (4%). Among the 688 respondents who needed cancer care during the pandemic, 294 (43%) reported disruptions in appointments, labs, or scans. Fewer (&lt;5%) reported disruptions in surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Almost half (n=335, 49%) reported a telehealth visit during this time. Most respondents (n=612, 62%) were worried about contracting COVID-19. Cancer patients who were in active treatment were significantly more likely to be worried about contracting COVID-19, as well as accessing medication, transportation, or caregiver support, than those who were not in active treatment.

Conclusions: Disruptions in cancer care were observed during the pandemic. Cancer patients in active treatment were more worried that resources needed for their care such as medication, transportation, and caregiver support would be impacted by the pandemic. At our cancer center, we tried to mitigate some of the survey observations by developing COVID-specific patient and caregiver support programs, partnering with local agencies to provide groceries and transportation to patients, and enhancing infrastructure to assist with telehealth appointments. Cancer center support services can overcome these barriers and ensure patient care, even in a pandemic.

Citation Format: Amy Leader, Preethi Selvan, Lisa Capparella, Rebecca Cammy, Janene Palidora, Ayako Shimada, Benjamin Leiby, Gregory Garber, Brooke Worster. Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2020 Jul 20-22. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(18_Suppl):Abstract nr S11-01.