The deadly Covid-19 pandemic is a nightmare the world is yet to get over with. It has altered systems, processes and functions across the globe in ways we could never have imagined.
From healthcare to education, social institutions and the entertainment industry, the pandemic has ushered in a new normal.
One aspect that requires considerable attention is the impact of the pandemic on cancer and cancer care. The burden of the pandemic on healthcare systems across the globe has majorly impacted the global fight against cancer.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, people suffering from cancer could be more vulnerable to worse outcomes including requiring ventilator support. Penn Medicine shares that cancer patients in active treatment could be at a higher risk of contracting Covid-19 as the their body’s white blood cells, which fight infection, are low or do not function at their best.
Patients are also wary of getting themselves checked at healthcare centres that are considered to be ‘high-risk’ zones. This is leading to a delay in diagnosis. Screening programs too have been restricted to a few centres only and suspended in several places to prioritise treatment for Covid-19.
According to a study in The Lancet, the pandemic could also worsen pre-existing disparities among people with cancer in terms of access to treatment and care.
The fight against the pandemic seems to be a long and uncertain one. Those suffering from cancer must take additional precautions to safeguard themselves from the deadly virus.