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As caring model of cancer patients has shifted to family centered model during the pandemic of COVID 19, it has caused immense increase in the needs of the caregivers. Thus, while providing a holistic care for cancer patients we need to understand the specific alterations in needs of caregivers due to pandemic. Thus, in this narrative review, we focus on addressing different needs of cancer caregivers in context of the on-going pandemic and preparedness strategy to meet those unmet needs.

Treatment for cervical cancer consists of hysterectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy in different combination based on stage at presentation. However, late consequences of such radical treatments are known but not many Indian studies have reported it. Quality of life and impact on sexual health has become an important issue in view of long survival of cervical cancer patients. LENTSOMA scale is one such scale validated for scoring radiotherapy related morbidity. However, there is need for a comprehensive scale covering all aspects of physical and psychological disruptions to provide complete recovery and rehabilitation. The study was prospective and patients who were treated for cervical cancer on follow up were included in this study. A total of 85 patients, who were treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy alone or in combination, comprising of stage I to stage IV disease, participated in this study. Findings of this study showed that pain during intercourse and altered sexual life were reported by 32.9% and 25.9% patients respectively whereas 24.7% found it problematic and in 22.3% patients, alteration in interest in sex were reported. Vaginal stenosis was seen in 75.29% of patients after treatment with decreased frequency of intercourse after treatment was seen in 16.4 % of patients. Combination of surgery and radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients caused more sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction, especially in lower age group. Treatment morbidity in term of sexual function was more with advanced stage disease and with the patients on longer follow up. Sexual function is an important aspect of quality of life but there is no single self-report measure in routine clinical follow up use which is brief, easy to complete and incorporates all (physical, psychological, emotional) aspects of sexual health for people affected by cancer.br /.

Background: Carcinoma cervix is the second most common type of cancer in the world. With the increasing proportion of women surviving carcinoma of the cervix, quality of life has been an important clinical issue. Since there are very few studies from India, this study is to assess urinary dysfunction issues in patients of carcinoma cervix treated with multimodality therapy using the LENT SOMA scores. Methods: The study was prospective and patients treated between 1995 - 2007 on follow up were included in this study after ethical clearance. A total of 85 patients were accrued comprising 6 stage IB, 6 stage II A, 25 stage II B, 2 stage IIIA, 45 stage III B and 1 stage IV A disease. Sixty-six patients were treated with radiotherapy in which 46 patients received chemoradiotherapy and 19 had surgery prior to post-operative radiotherapy. The mean age was 47.81 years with a range of 25-68 years. Completion of LENT SOMA scale and Statistical analysis was done. Results: Mean score for BU (Bladder/Urethra) was highest (0.0758) in fifth year of treatment whereas UK (Ureter/Kidney score was highest (0.0408) after 4 years. Bladder score was more in 60-69 years of age and in stage IIIB patients of cervical cancers. Bladder morbidity was more in patients who received chemoradiotherapy and in patients who received radiotherapy with boost where Bladder and Urethra morbidity was more in patients who were treated with Extended Field radiation. Conclusions: The LENT SOMA system was acceptable and feasible to use and gave us an insight into the morbidity in our patients and to develop effective management plans to reduce the post treatment symptoms and improve quality of life.