The global outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted many aspects of healthcare delivery - cancer prevention and care are no exception [1]. The pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of our healthcare systems, our societies, and our health, as well as exacerbated inequalities within and between European countries. It has also cast a spotlight on the vulnerability of people living with cancer.
Cancer patients are among the most vulnerable, as they may be at higher risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 [2] [3][4] [5] [6] because their immune systems are often weakened by cancer and its treatments, and patients are also directly exposed to disruptions in healthcare services.
As the lockdown scenario across Europe has persisted, the knock-on effects to cancer care grow ever more evident and urgent. Screening and treatment delay are very real concerns for citizens and patients. Recent estimates indicate that delays in cancer treatment and diagnosis are likely to increase the indirect death toll of COVID-19 by several thousands in the years to come [7] [8].
In addition, even before the COVID-19 outbreak, the cancer burden was on the rise in Europe - with the annual number of new cancer cases projected to increase from 3.9 million in 2018 to 4.7 million by 2040 [9].
Due to the high and increasing number of cancer patients and survivors, public authorities must take urgent measures to protect their well-being and ensure access to vital services during this time of crisis and in future attacks of severe infectious diseases.
Challenges in protecting cancer patients and safeguarding access to prevention and care
There are several key challenges to overcome:
ECL call for action to national governments and the European Commission
The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) urges national governments and European policy-makers to take action to protect citizens, cancer patients, survivors and caregivers by addressing the issues stated below and following our recommendations in order to mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on timely access to quality diagnosis, treatment and supportive care services for those who need them, now and in the future.
ECL recommends that the relevant EU and Member State institutions should:
ECL calls upon all decision-makers to stay alert and continue to behave responsibly towards their citizens. Governments should prepare health services for the case of possible future emergencies.
About ECL
The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) is a non-profit, pan-European umbrella organisation with the mission of uniting national and regional cancer leagues to achieve a cancer-free Europe. Active since 1980 and located in Brussels, ECL currently has 29 members from 24 countries, covering 21 EU Member States. ECL’s members are cancer charities operating across the whole patient pathway - from cancer research and awareness to patient support during and after diagnosis. Cancer leagues are the main resource for the public for cancer control information and services. ECL’s mission is to influence and improve cancer control and cancer care in Europe. This is done by providing a forum and voice for experienced charities and supporting new entrants facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing, primarily in the areas of cancer prevention, tobacco control, access to medicines and patient support, as well as creating opportunities to advocate for these issues at the EU level.
www.cancer.eu [1] | @CancerLeagues [2]
Wish to discuss ECL's Call for Action further?
Contact the ECL Secretariat at ECL@europeancancerleagues.org [3]
References
[1] World Health Organization (2020) ‘Rapid assessment of service delivery for NCDs during the COVID-19 pandemic’. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/rapid-assessment-of-service-delivery-for-ncds-during-the-covid-19-pandemic [4]
[2] Liang, W. et al. (2020) ‘Cancer patients in SARS-CoV-2 infection: a nationwide analysis in China’. Lancet Oncology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/ S1470-2045(20)30096-6 [5]
[3] Wang, H and Zhang, L. (2020) ‘Risk of COVID-19 for patients with cancer’.
Lancet Oncology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30149-2 [6]
[4] Kuderer N.M. et al (2020) ‘Clinical impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer (CCC19): a cohort study’. Lancet. DOI: ohttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31187-9 [7].
[5] Tian, J. et al. (2020) ‘Clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with COVID-19 disease severity in patients with cancer in Wuhan, China: a multicentre, retrospective, cohort study’. Lancet Oncology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30309-0 [8].
[6] Yang, K. et al (2020) ‘Clinical characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors for mortality in patients with cancer and COVID-19 in Hubei, China: a multicentre, retrospective, cohort study’. Lancet Oncology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30310-7 [9].
[7] Lai, A. et al. (2020) ‘Estimating excess mortality in people with cancer and multimorbidity in the COVID-19 emergency’. ResearchGate.DOI: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34254.8224 [10]2 [10]
[8] Sharepless, N.E. (2020) ‘COVID-19 and cancer’. Science. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abd3377 [11]
[9] GCO IARC (2018) ‘Cancer Tomorrow’. Available at: http://gco.iarc.fr/tomorrow/home [12] (all cancers excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, both sexes, all ages, in Europe) [cited 2020 Jun 28].
Links:
[1] https://www.europeancancerleagues.org/
[2] https://twitter.com/CancerLeagues
[3] mailto:ECL@europeancancerleagues.org
[4] https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/rapid-assessment-of-service-delivery-for-ncds-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
[5] https://doi.org/10.1016/
[6] https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30149-2
[7] https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31187-9
[8] https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30309-0
[9] https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30310-7
[10] https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34254.82242.
[11] https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abd3377
[12] http://gco.iarc.fr/tomorrow/home
[13] http://www.cancer.eu