Counterbalancing COVID-19 with Cancer Surveillance and Therapy: A Survey of Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma

Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma reported high rates of psychosocial distress during this period of unprecedented change in cancer care delivery. Whereas younger patients had higher rates of anxiety, older patients may be at greater risk of social isolation and its negative ramifications. Older patients reported awareness of their increased risk of infection and were hypervigilant of potential COVID-19 symptomatology, however, they reported less overall anxiety.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a vast array of complex healthcare delivery challenges in oncology and beyond, and it is crucial that we establish safe and effective methods by which to maintain a high level of compassionate and effective clinical care to our patients throughout this time period. Novel strategies for information dissemination and supportive care are needed to deliver effective comprehensive cancer care in these challenging circumstances.

Written by: Cristiane Decat Bergerot, PhD, Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California

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