Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on gynecological cancer healthcare: patient´s perspective

ABSTRACT

Introduction/Background*COVID -19 pandemic has shown a huge impact in health-care systems. In the field of gynecology oncology, we had to postpone routinary tests and check-ups, as well as attend patients that had undergone an oncological process via telephone. Due to their vulnerability, the psychological impact on this patient has been even worse than on other users of the health system. The aim in this study is to evaluate the concerns, global health status and quality of life of patients with gynecological cancer during the pandemic.MethodologyThe GineonCoVID study is a multicenter Spanish study that collect data from a national survey. The anonymous survey consists of 23 questions regarding the personal experience of the patient and modifications in health care during follow up of patient with gynecological malignancies from April to May 2021. The survey has been divided into 3 sections. In this sub-analysis the results of the questions related to anxiety, concerns, quality of life and state of mind of the interviewed patients will be evaluated.Result(s)*376 patients responded to the survey. The median age was 58 years. 43% of the patients were diagnosed with endometrial cancer, 27.3% with ovarian cancer and 24.1% with cervical cancer. 39.6% and 33.6% of patients suffered anxiety and depression respectively during the pandemic. 81% of the patients report having a good quality of life during the last year. Results showed that 54.2% of the respondents are not concerns about viral infection and 67.9% consider that the risk of being infected during follow-up is low. 94% do not perceive changes in follow up, but if they do, 44% believe that clinical health care has experienced a change. 71.4% of the patients are concern about not being able to attend clinical visits.Conclusion*The pandemic could increase anxiety and depression, although it does not appear to worsen the quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer. More than half of the patients consider that they have a low risk of being infected during follow-up but are concerned about not being able to attend clinical visits due to the pandemic.