Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Oncology Patients in Eastern Canada

The present study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adult oncology patients at an oncology clinic in Atlantic Canada. Patients completed a survey about their cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their health between September 2021 and April 2022. Seroprotection from the COVID-19 vaccine was assessed in a subset of patients. Of the 178 patients who provided consent, 161 completed the survey and 134 provided blood samples for seropositive analysis. Most reported no perceived delays in their cancer diagnosis (93.2%), treatment (91.8%), or follow-up care (98.1%) because of the pandemic. Although 75.2% of patients reported anxiety about contracting COVID-19, majority (96.3%) did not miss their appointments because of the pandemic. Seroprotection rates after COVID-19 vaccination did not differ significantly by treatment type; however, patients with hematological cancers had a significantly lower response. This study offers a snapshot of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the diagnosis, treatment, and well-being of patients with cancer. The findings may help to guide clinical decisions and mitigate care delays in the future.