1. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on older cancer patients: Proposed solution by the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group
- Author
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Nam Phong Nguyen, Ulf Lennart Karlsson, David Lehrman, Thandeka Mazibuko, Tatul Saghatelyan, Juliette Thariat, Brigitta G. Baumert, Vincent Vinh-Hung, Olena Gorobets, Huan Giap, Sankalp Singh, Alexander Chi, Graciana Alessandrini, Abhinav Ahluwalia, Francis Durosinmi-Etti, Jorge Zegarra Cárdenas, Koniba Diabate, Joan Oboite, Eromosele Oboite, Tahir Mehmood, Te Vuong, Lyndon Kim, and Brandi R. Page
- Subjects
older ,cancer patients ,pandemic ,fear ,telemedicine ,spiritual treatment ,Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens ,RC254-282 - 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.
- Published
- 2023
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