Cancer Patients’ Challenges During COVID-19 Pandemic: An Approach to Decision-Making in Management and Policy-Making

Abstract

Context: Cancer patients are more susceptible to novel coronavirus infection due to their immune system deficiency and anticancer treatments. During the COVID-19 outbreak, cancer patients have faced many challenges. The present study aimed to review the literature on cancer patients’ challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic to offer an approach to decision-making in management and policy-making. Evidence Acquisition: In this review study, national and international databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were the risk of COVID-19 in cancer patients, medical services, surgery, and cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients’ challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and management and policy-making in this pandemic. Results: Cancer patients’ challenges during the COVID 19 pandemic were classified as follows: (1) risk of COVID-19 for cancer patients; (2) access to medical services and screening during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) psychological disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have revealed that individuals with cancer experience a higher risk of the COVID-19 infection and mortality compared to healthy individuals. Most oncology clinics postpone unnecessary appointments; however, patients with invasive cancer are treated with no delay. Proper management, disease control, and attention to mental health care can prevent psychological disorders. Conclusions: Managing cancer patients’ challenges during the SARS-CoV-2 is of paramount importance. Cancer clinics need to develop new care and follow-up protocols. Moreover, policy-makers should provide appropriate policies to address the challenges of this disease in the future.