Treatment delays in oncology patients during COVID-19 pandemic: A perspective

摘要

Ever since the emergence of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, it has impacted mankind globally. WHO declared it a public health emergency since March 11, 2020 [1]. A major effect of it has been seen in the health sector worldwide, due to the unpreparedness for such an event. Lockdown and social distancing, though necessary non-pharmacological measures to flatten the transmission curve, have further aggravated the interruption of health care services to the needy. Worse survival has been reported in oncology patients during the COVID crisis, due to their compromised immunity, which could be disease or anticancer treatment-related. As a considerable fraction of patients visiting the health care institute are oncology patients, interruption of health care services during the crisis might delay treatment in these patients.