Cancer survivor worries about treatment disruption and detrimental health outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leach, Corinne R; Kirkland, Elizabeth G; Masters, Matt; Sloan, Kirsten; Rees-Punia, Erika; Patel, Alpa V; Watson, Lesley

PURPOSE We examined cancer survivor worries about treatment, infection, and finances early in the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Closed- and open-ended online survey questions were collected from adult cancer survivors (N = 972). METHODS Logistic regression identified factors associated with treatment, infection, and financial worry. Thematic qualitative analysis generated information around participants' experiences and worries related to COVID-19 and healthcare. FINDINGS Characteristics including marital status, race/ethnicity, cancer type, time since last treatment, education, and age were associated with health and healthcare worry outcomes. Survivors commonly expressed uncertainty about future care, fears about in-person appointments, rationed COVID-19 care, recurrence due to care delays, and distress about untreated symptoms, including mental health issues. CONCLUSIONS Early in the pandemic, survivors worried about and experienced cancer care delays, COVID infection, and how the pandemic would affect their prognosis. IMPLICATIONS Healthcare professionals need to be aware of cancer survivors' concerns and uncertainties to provide appropriate care.