Post by account_disabled on Feb 18, 2024 3:44:44 GMT
The effects of Covid on cancer (and other diseases) are beginning to be noticed. Between March and June 2020, according to a report from the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), 21% fewer cases were diagnosed than in the same period of the previous year. “It is not the cases that have gone down, but the diagnoses,” the AECC makes clear. Research and, consequently, the early detection of cases is a basic aspect to increase survival figures (which currently stand at 90% in some types of cancer and, on average, at 57%). If there is a deficit in these matters, the final consequence will be an increase in deaths. For this reason, the Spanish Lung Cancer Group (GECP) is already talking about 'the other pandemic': they estimate that in 2021 there will be 1,300 additional deaths. Cancer is, according to AECC data, the second cause of mortality in Europe . In Spain, every year around 280,000 people are diagnosed and more than 112,000 die, which means that, on average, more than 300 people die from cancer every day .
The number of patients receiving chemotherapy decreases by 9.5% To prepare this first report on the impact of the pandemic on health care – which reveals that the number of new cancer patients fell by 21% during confinement – the AECC has worked with the scientific societies involved in addressing cancer (SEAP , SEEO, SEHH, SEOM, SEOR). They explain Europe Cell Phone Number List that data has been provided by the Pathological Anatomy, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology services of 37 tertiary hospitals in different Autonomous Communities. “Increase in waiting lists, patients who have not wanted to go to health centers out of fear and, in short, a health system with a large part of the resources rechanneled to ensure care for coronavirus patients.” The corollary is clear: the pandemic has led to a decrease in both the number of new diagnoses and the initiation of new treatments in the cancer population .
According to the data in the report, during this period, almost 98% of the centers changed in-person care to telephone care; although 95% maintained in-person assistance in those cases where it was essential. In this sense, with the aim of minimizing the risk of contracting coronavirus infection , the treatment schemes that had already begun or were about to begin were modified; and the activity was maintained to the extent possible. Despite this effort, the number of new patients decreased compared to the same period of the previous year. Specifically, the largest drop is observed in the months of April and May, with 32% less than in 2019. This is not the only data that shows decreases.
The number of patients receiving chemotherapy decreases by 9.5% To prepare this first report on the impact of the pandemic on health care – which reveals that the number of new cancer patients fell by 21% during confinement – the AECC has worked with the scientific societies involved in addressing cancer (SEAP , SEEO, SEHH, SEOM, SEOR). They explain Europe Cell Phone Number List that data has been provided by the Pathological Anatomy, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology services of 37 tertiary hospitals in different Autonomous Communities. “Increase in waiting lists, patients who have not wanted to go to health centers out of fear and, in short, a health system with a large part of the resources rechanneled to ensure care for coronavirus patients.” The corollary is clear: the pandemic has led to a decrease in both the number of new diagnoses and the initiation of new treatments in the cancer population .
According to the data in the report, during this period, almost 98% of the centers changed in-person care to telephone care; although 95% maintained in-person assistance in those cases where it was essential. In this sense, with the aim of minimizing the risk of contracting coronavirus infection , the treatment schemes that had already begun or were about to begin were modified; and the activity was maintained to the extent possible. Despite this effort, the number of new patients decreased compared to the same period of the previous year. Specifically, the largest drop is observed in the months of April and May, with 32% less than in 2019. This is not the only data that shows decreases.