Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on older cancer patients: proposed solution by the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group
Nguyen, Nam Phong Karlsson, Ulf Lennart Lehrman, David Mazibuko, Thandeka Saghatelyan, Tatul Thariat, Juliette Baumert, Brigitta G. Vinh-Hung, Vincent Gorobets, Olena Giap, Huan
Nguyen, Nam Phong
Karlsson, Ulf Lennart
Lehrman, David
Mazibuko, Thandeka
Saghatelyan, Tatul
Thariat, Juliette
Baumert, Brigitta G.
Vinh-Hung, Vincent
Gorobets, Olena
Giap, Huan
Abstract
Older cancer patients are disproportionally affected by the Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. A higher rate of death among the elderly and the potential for long-term disability have led to fear of contracting the virus in these patients. This fear can, paradoxically, cause delay in diagnosis and treatment that may lead to a poor outcome that could have been prevented. Thus, physicians should devise a policy that both supports the needs of older patients during cancer treatment, and serves to help them overcome their fear so they seek out to cancer diagnosis and treatment early. A combination of telemedicine and a holistic approach, involving prayers for older cancer patients with a high level of spirituality, may improve vaccination rates as well as quality of life during treatment. Collaboration between health care workers, social workers, faith-based leaders, and cancer survivors may be crucial to achieve this goal. Social media may be an important component, providing a means of sending the positive message to older cancer patients that chronological age is not an impediment to treatment.
MIDER Authors
Citations
Altmetric:
Date
2023
Type
Article
Subject
Aged, Covid-19, Antineoplastic Protocols, Holistic Health
Collections
Citation
Nguyen NP, Karlsson UL, Lehrman D, Mazibuko T, Saghatelyan T, Thariat J, Baumert BG, Vinh-Hung V, Gorobets O, Giap H, Singh S, Chi A, Alessandrini G, Ahluwalia A, Durosinmi-Etti F, Zegarra Cárdenas J, Diabate K, Oboite J, Oboite E, Mehmood T, Vuong T, Kim L, Page BR. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on older cancer patients: Proposed solution by the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group. Front Oncol. 2023 Mar 7;13:1091329. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1091329.