COVID-19 and its Impact on Cancer Patients, Survivors and Systems: Unintended Consequences and Early Lessons

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on all Canadians, including cancer patients, survivors and their families. During the pandemic, many jurisdictions have curtailed early detection and cancer screening programs, some have reduced access to operating rooms, and all have pivoted to virtual health. There will be significant psychosocial impacts for many patients and survivors, and we are likely to see some cancer stage migration. This seminar will present some early evidence and lessons from Canada and internationally, describing research into: modelling the impact of curtailing early detection and screening, and limiting operating room access; patient-reported experiences and outcomes during the pandemic; the impact on vulnerable populations; and, ethical frameworks for allocating scarce cancer resources.  
 
Learning Objectives:
 
To develop an understanding of:

• The impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients, survivors and systems
• Modelling on the curtailment of early detection and cancer screening programs, and limiting operation room access
• Cancer patient- and survivor-reported experiences and outcomes during the pandemic
• Ethical issues and frameworks for allocating scarce cancer resources