PHILADELPHIA – Today, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) released the AACR Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Research and Patient Care. This first-of-its-kind report provides a comprehensive view of the burden of COVID-19 among patients with cancer; the challenges presented by the pandemic in cancer research and patient care; and the changes implemented during the pandemic that have unexpectedly improved research practices and access to care.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON PATIENTS WITH CANCER
Research indicates that patients with cancer are at an increased risk for COVID-19 infection and severe disease. In addition, the interruptions caused by the pandemic may contribute to worse cancer-related outcomes in the coming years. According to the report:
Patients with hematologic cancers as well as patients receiving B cell-targeted therapeutics are not only are at higher risk for COVID-19, but also have shown poor responses to the available vaccines.
The delays in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment caused by the pandemic have had and may continue to have negative effects on outcomes for patients.
The pandemic resulted in nearly 10 million missed cancer screenings from January to July 2020.
The pandemic impaired referrals for preliminary cancer diagnoses and led to an 11 percent increase in patients diagnosed with inoperable or metastatic cancer during March to December 2020, when compared to the same time frame in 2019.
Patients and cancer centers reported delays in cancer treatments including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
The pandemic has had a considerable negative impact on the mental health of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers arising from a range of issues such as social isolation, financial stress, food insecurity, concerns about timely access to cancer treatments, and disease recurrence.
Racial and ethnic minorities and other medically underserved populations not only have shouldered a disproportionate burden of COVID-19, but also have been more affected by pandemic-related disruptions to the cancer care continuum.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CANCER RESEARCHERS
As outlined in the AACR Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Research and Patient Care, the pandemic has caused significant challenges for cancer researchers, leading to research laboratory closures and clinical trial interruptions. It has negatively impacted their career development opportunities as well, especially for women and minority early-stage investigators. According to a recent survey of 66 AACR grant recipients, the results of which are included in the report:
