• Maeve A Hennessy, Anna Linehan, Darren Cowzer, Zachary L Coyne, Orla Fitzpatrick, Fiona Barrett, Roisin Ni Dhonaill, Bryan T Hennessy, Liam Grogan, Patrick G Morris, and Oscar S Breathnach.
• Medical Oncology Department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2021 Nov 1; 190 (4): 1303-1308.

BackgroundThe Covid-19 pandemic poses significant challenges for the management of patients with cancer. In our institution, we adapted our delivery of outpatient systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) by introducing a number of 'risk-reducing' measures including pre-assessment screening.AimsWe sought to evaluate the experience and perceptions of patients with cancer undergoing SACT during the Covid-19 pandemic.MethodsPatients on SACT during the Covid-19 pandemic were eligible for participation. Data were collected by anonymous survey over a 1 week period during the most intensive phase of government restrictions. Patients were asked questions under three headings: perceived risk of infection exposure, changes to treatment plan and psychological impact of Covid-19.ResultsOne hundred patients were assessed, 60% were male, 41% were > 65 years of age and 67% had advanced cancer. Eleven percent of patients were living alone. Fifty-seven percent reported feeling at increased risk in general of contracting Covid-19. Sixty-eight percent of patients did not feel worried about contracting Covid-19 in the hospital. Ninety-two percent of patients reported wanting to continue on SACT as originally planned. Fifty-eighty percent felt isolated and 40% reported increased anxiety.ConclusionThough patients on active treatment for cancer during the Covid-19 pandemic reported increased anxiety and feelings of isolation due to Covid-19, the majority of patients wanted to continue SACT as originally planned. Patients would benefit from enhanced psycho-oncological supports in the event of a prolonged Covid-19 pandemic.© 2021. Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.

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