What is the impact of the pandemic on cancer incidence?

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly affected almost all areas of life. It is a huge challenge for the health service, but also for the patients themselves. In the case of many people who planned check-ups or noticed some worrying symptoms, restrictions and new regulations caused them to abandon the idea to undergo medical examination. In turn, it contributed to significant drops in the number of preventive examinations. Postponing them in time is conducive to the further development of a possible disease. It is predicted that the difficult access to diagnostics will contribute to a significant increase in the number of advanced-stage cases.

Cancer diagnosis during a pandemic

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), preventive screening programs have been postponed in many countries. In 2020, oncology programs were partially or completely discontinued in as many as 42% of countries. This state was contributed to the disruption of the treatment program of many patients who had limited access to medical services. The situation has partially returned to normal, but numerous people are still afraid of visiting medical institutions due to the fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Downtime in prophylaxis and diagnostics is still a current problem, which results from the difficult access to specialists. In the case of such serious diseases as neoplasm, delayed diagnosis is perfect conditions for the further progress of the disease. British researchers estimated that as a result of delayed diagnosis caused by the pandemic, approximately 3,500 cases that would be curable if detected early will result in the death of patients.

Cancer patients and the pandemic

Unless planned treatments have been suspended, cancer patients themselves are a group at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Therapies used to fight cancer, such as chemotherapy, destroy not only rapidly growing cancer cells, but also cells that naturally grow at a rapid rate. As a result, there are many side effects – hair loss, malaise and mouth ulcers, but also a significant weakening of the immune system. This applies in particular to haematooncological patients struggling with leukemia in various forms

COVID-19 vaccine in cancer patients

According to the recommendations, people who completed chemotherapy reported for vaccination no earlier than 4 weeks after its completion. On the other hand, patients who have completed targeted therapy or immunotherapy can start vaccination immediately after its completion. The same rule also applies to people who have completed radiation therapy.

For those who remain in treatment, the matter is as follows:

• Radiotherapy – vaccinations can be made during treatment, as long as myelosuppression has been ruled out.
• Chemotherapy – vaccination should take place between the 3rd and 7th day after administration of the chemotherapy cycle.
• Combined therapy (chemotherapy and immunotherapy) – vaccination should take place between the 3rd and 7th day after the administration of the chemotherapy cycle.
• Targeted therapy or immunotherapy – vaccinations can be made during treatment.

As for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, but who have not yet started treatment, they can sign up for the vaccination after consulting their doctor. It is also worth asking a doctor's opinion in the above-mentioned cases.