AUTHOR=Nguyen Nam Phong , Karlsson Ulf Lennart , Lehrman David , Mazibuko Thandeka , Saghatelyan Tatul , Thariat Juliette , Baumert Brigitta G. , Vinh-Hung Vincent , Gorobets Olena , Giap Huan , Singh Sankalp , Chi Alexander , Alessandrini Graciana , Ahluwalia Abhinav , Durosinmi-Etti Francis , Zegarra Cárdenas Jorge , Diabate Koniba , Oboite Joan , Oboite Eromosele , Mehmood Tahir , Vuong Te , Kim Lyndon , Page Brandi R. TITLE=Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on older cancer patients: Proposed solution by the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2023.1091329 DOI=10.3389/fonc.2023.1091329 ISSN=2234-943X ABSTRACT=

Older cancer patients are disproportionally affected by the Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. A higher rate of death among the elderly and the potential for long-term disability have led to fear of contracting the virus in these patients. This fear can, paradoxically, cause delay in diagnosis and treatment that may lead to a poor outcome that could have been prevented. Thus, physicians should devise a policy that both supports the needs of older patients during cancer treatment, and serves to help them overcome their fear so they seek out to cancer diagnosis and treatment early. A combination of telemedicine and a holistic approach, involving prayers for older cancer patients with a high level of spirituality, may improve vaccination rates as well as quality of life during treatment. Collaboration between health care workers, social workers, faith-based leaders, and cancer survivors may be crucial to achieve this goal. Social media may be an important component, providing a means of sending the positive message to older cancer patients that chronological age is not an impediment to treatment.