Abstract 1758P
Background
India imposed the world’s largest lockdown for over 1.3 billion people in view of the COVID pandemic and this led to a tremendous impact on the treatment of cancer patients. This was due to two main reasons. The first reason was due to restrictions on elective procedures to preserve beds for possible COVID cases and the second was a restriction on private and public transport. Given that the majority of cancer centres are located in bigger towns and cities, patients found it difficult to reach the centres. Onco.com provides telehealth services for cancer patients and we analysed the practical problems faced by the patients during this period.
Methods
We analysed 482 oncology teleconsultation requests placed by patients from different parts of India and recorded issues faced by patients under different categories- stage of cancer, city of residence and preferences around place of treatment (same city or metro city). We also recorded known reasons (if any) for any delay in treatment. All records analysed were deidentified for the purpose of this study.
Results
Of the 482 telehealth requests, we recorded the following findings: with 311 (64%) patients facing the issue of access to a cancer care facility, this was the commonest complaint of cancer patients since transport services were blocked due to the strict lockdown. 92 (19%) patients reported closure or unavailability of the local cancer treatment center. 284 (59%) patients had stage 3 or advanced disease. 58% of patients lived in tier 2 or 3 cities and wanted to travel to bigger cities for treatment but were unable to do so during this period. Doctors advised a postponement of further treatment for 15% (71) of patients owing to a high risk of complications on account of advanced disease or comorbidities.
Conclusions
Most of the problems reported by patients were delays in treatment due to logistical reasons owing to strict lockdown conditions across the country. The second most common problem was a concern for high risk of complications for patients with advanced disease, especially in smaller towns. Most of the patients residing in metro cities continued their treatments with precautions. An analysis of the impact of treatment delays on survival outcomes is necessary to understand the real impact of the COVID crisis on cancer patients.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
A.K. Jotwani, R. Jain: Leadership role, Shareholder/Stockholder/Stock options: Onco.com. R.S. Goud: Shareholder/Stockholder/Stock options, Full/Part-time employment: Onco.com. R. Rajan; R. Vaghmare; T. Poovaiah: Full/Part-time employment: Onco.com.