Open AccessStudy on the effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Treatment and Research
Author(s) -
Daniel Broomfield,
Daniel V. Ross,
Farah I. Albarahmeh,
Joseph G. Azzi,
Olugbenga Morebise
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of advances in medicine and medical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2456-8899
DOI - 10.9734/jammr/2021/v33i1430977
Subject(s) - pandemic , health care , cancer , medicine , covid-19 , globe , healthcare system , cancer treatment , clinical trial , medical emergency , intensive care medicine , economic growth , disease , pathology , economics , infectious disease (medical specialty) , ophthalmology
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way that healthcare systems and research centers across the world operate. Resources are now being poured into fighting the pandemic. Unfortunately, these resources are often drawn from other healthcare sectors. The focus of this paper is to determine how the shift of resources affects how cancer treatment and cancer research across the globe. Previous research in this topic is sparse, so looking into how cancer research and treatment has been affected can prove beneficial by highlighting the affected treatment methods for cancer patients so that healthcare teams will be able to allocate resources for particularly vulnerable patients once resources are available. Research has discovered that the shift of resources has led to a decrease in screenings for various types of cancer. Furthermore, clinical trials for new cancer treatments have been paused as well. This has led to an increase in cancer-related mortality, for many different types of cancer. However, some healthcare systems are adapting to these changes by increasing their use of telemedicine, which patients have welcomed. This shows that resources being taken away from cancer treatment and research has had a negative impact on cancer care but as the pandemic progresses, healthcare workers are finding ways to care for their patients.