[Task Force against COVID-19 Coordinated by Cancer-Associated Societies in Japan].

Terashima, Takeshi

During the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), there was a shortage of medical staff and resources, intensive care unit, ventilator, and personal protective equipment such as mask and gown due to an urgent increases in the numbers of infected and severe patients. Limitation and/or postpone of visit, examination, and procedure have been forced due to spreads of infection in hospitals. There have been cases where patients with cancer hesitate to visit hospital because they are afraid of being infected. To achieve 2 difficult purposes simultaneously, preventing the spread of infection and performing necessary cancer treatment safely, guidelines based on update evidence have been opened. Working group for COVID-19 was set up by cancer-associated 3 societies, including Japanese Cancer Association, Japan Society of Clinical Oncology, and Japanese Society of Medical Oncology. Q&A on COVID-19 for patients and Q&A on COVID-19 for medical staffs(version 2)made by the working group have been put on the homepages of the 3 societies. Guidelines based on updated information should be opened for medical facilities to give safe care and for people to achieve medical care without worry.