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[Task Force against COVID-19 Coordinated by Cancer-Associated Societies in Japan]
1Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Hospital.
Insights
Cancer care guidelines were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent infection spread and ensure safe cancer treatment. These resources aim to help medical facilities provide care and patients receive treatment without worry.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Infectious Disease Control
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused shortages in medical resources and staff, impacting healthcare delivery.
- Hospitals implemented restrictions, leading to postponed cancer treatments and patient hesitancy due to infection fears.
- Simultaneously preventing infection and ensuring safe cancer treatment presented significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide evidence-based guidelines for safe cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To address the dual needs of infection control and essential cancer treatment.
- To offer resources for both medical professionals and cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Formation of a working group by three major Japanese cancer societies.
- Development of Q&A resources for patients and medical staff on COVID-19.
- Dissemination of guidelines through society homepages.
Main Results:
- Guidelines and Q&A resources were created to support safe cancer care.
- These materials were made available to medical facilities and the public.
- The initiative aimed to alleviate patient concerns about seeking medical attention.
Conclusions:
- Updated guidelines are crucial for medical facilities to provide safe care during pandemics.
- Accessible information empowers patients to seek necessary cancer treatment without undue fear of infection.
- Collaborative efforts by cancer societies are vital in developing pandemic response strategies for oncology.
Abstract:
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.