Seeing beyond COVID-19: understanding the impact of the pandemic on oncology, and the importance of preparedness
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Seeing beyond COVID‑19: understanding the impact of the pandemic on oncology, and the importance of preparedness Daniele Carrieri1 · Fedro Alessandro Peccatori2
Received: 15 September 2020 / Accepted: 5 November 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract The impact of this pandemic is not only through COVID-19 itself: the care for non-COVID-19 related conditions has been dramatically curtailed, shaking entire healthcare services around the world. Amongst the non-COVID-19 related conditions, oncology has been disproportionally affected. We discuss how oncology has changed since the acute phase of the pandemic; its impact on clinicians, trainees, and patients; and offer some medical and historical perspectives to reflect on how this impact could be reduced. Keywords COVID-19 · Oncology · Preparedness
1 Impact of COVID‑19 on oncology In this short commentary we wish to explore the question of the impact of COVID19 on oncology. Our interest in this question stems from our experience and expertise in public health, and healthcare workforce training and burnout. Moreover, being one of us a practicing oncologist in Europe, oncology was chosen as a case study for its relevant impact on health care systems, and more in general on patients’ health. This commentary has many limitations—for example it will not represent This short commentary belongs to the Topical Collection “Seeing Clearly Through COVID-19: Current and future questions for the history and philosophy of the life sciences”, edited by G. Boniolo and L. Onaga”. * Daniele Carrieri [email protected] 1
College of Medicine and Health and Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
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the patient perspective, but it will mostly focus on our areas of expertise outlined above. Our aim is to encourage more serious thinking around an area that is becoming increasingly pressing and that deserves much more discussion. A survey of 155 countries conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 2020 reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed the provision of health services for non-communicable diseases (Dyer 2020). Key resources, services, and healthcare staff have been re-directed towards COVID-19. Oncology care, which often involves extensive surgery, immune suppressive therapy and inpatient treatment, has been disproportionally affected (Rosenbaum 2020). Oncologists in many countries have been redeployed to help colleagues dealing with COVID-19 patients, and ‘non-essential’ tests and screenings have been cancelled or postponed (The Lancet Oncology 2020). These changes resulted in the closure of screening and diagnostic services, a slowing down or complete cessation of referrals, significant delays and difficulties in accessing chemotherapy, and, at least in some instances, the delivery of suboptimal care. Such changes were justified as a way to minimise ri
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