Online survey on SARS-CoV-2 infections in cancer patients during a nationwide lockdown in France

Hajjaji, N.; Lakhdar, S.; Kaczmarek, E.; Bellier, C.; Bécourt, S.; Broyelle, A.; Girard, E. I.; Giscard, S.; Lartigau, E.

Background: The COVID 19 pandemic outbreak caused 143427 cases and more than 28000 deaths in France. To contain this highly contagious and potentially deadly disease, the French government decided an unprecedented nationwide lockdown. We investigated in a large cohort of cancer patients from Hauts-de-France, the third French region most stricken by COVID-19, the frequency of symptoms, how cancer navigated the health care system during these very difficult circumstances, and their feelings. Method(s): We made a flash survey among 6900 patients treated at our cancer center within March 2019 and March 2020. Respondents were asked by email to fill in a short web-based survey sent on April 30 and closed on May 14. Result(s): We received reports from 2224 cancer patients. Mean age was 63 years, 72% were women, only 9% were smokers, 26% had hypertension, 9% diabetes, and 5% asthma. The most represented cancers were breast (45%), gynecologic cancers (12%), digestive (8%), and head and neck cancer (6%). Most patients were in follow up, 13% were receiving chemotherapy. The majority did not develop symptoms associated with COVID during the COVID wave;one third experienced symptoms. The main symptoms reported were headache (38%), myalgia and arthralgia (31%), cough (25%), digestive signs (20%), intense fatigue (19%), or fever (13%). Among patients with symptoms, 58% did not seek medical advice during the COVID wave and 95% of them were not tested. For those receiving chemotherapy, 80% had their treatment as planned. Among patients with a planned surgery, 30% of them were delayed. 32% of the patients reported anxiety, 35% felt unsecure and 16% reported an increased consumption of antistress medication, tobacco or alcohol. We also discuss the pattern of symptoms and feelings according to the cancer type and the treatment received. Conclusion(s): This study showed that most of our cancer patients were probably not infected during the COVID wave, which highlights the need to maintain barrier measures to protect them and perform validated tests. An appropriate supportive care is also necessary to manage patients' distress due to COVID 19 in many of them. Legal entity responsible for the study: Centre Oscar Lambret. Funding(s): Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.Copyright © 2020