Cancer and COVID-19 Experiences at African Cancer Centers: The Silver Lining.
Cancer and COVID-19 Experiences at African Cancer Centers: The Silver Lining.
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DOI：
10.1200/go.20.00564
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发表时间：
2021-03
影响因子：
4.5
通讯作者：
Ngwa W
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Grossheim L;Ruff P;Ngoma T;Vanderpuye V;Mwango G;Ochieng P;Palmer D;Kouya F;Lasebikan N;Ntekim A;Ngoma M;Bih N;Malloum A;Elzawawy A;Kerr D;Ngwa W
2019冠状病毒病大流行严重扰乱了非洲的癌症治疗，进一步暴露出重大的卫生差距。本文比较和对比了6个不同非洲癌症中心的15名临床医生的经验，以突出在其他消极情况下的积极方面（一线希望）。数据来自六个癌症中心的临床医生的个人经验，并与文献资料相结合。COVID-19对癌症治疗的影响似乎不仅在非洲大陆各地有所不同，而且在癌症中心也有所不同。诊所位置、提供的服务、可用资源以及因COVID-19而施加的限制程度等不同因素与这些差异有关。总的来说，不同地区普遍报告治疗延误和获得癌症护理的机会有限。非洲缺乏COVID-19癌症患者的数据以及在线COVID-19和癌症登记处的数据。然而，对现有数据的分析表明，与未患癌症的患者相比，患有COVID-19的癌症患者的死亡率更高。此次大流行带来的积极或一线希望包括采用低分割放射治疗和远程肿瘤学，以在保护患者和工作人员的同时增加获得护理的机会。利用在线技术加强与世界各地肿瘤卫生专业人员的合作也被视为一线希望，可以分享宝贵的经验和专业知识，以改善护理、加强学习和缩小差距。人们认为，先进的信息和通信技术对这种合作至关重要，有助于应对当前的大流行病和未来可能出现的危机。
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted cancer care in Africa, further exposing major health disparities. This paper compares and contrasts the experiences of 15 clinicians in six different African cancer centers to highlight the positive aspects (silver linings) in an otherwise negative situation. Data are from personal experience of the clinicians working at the six cancer centers blended with what is available in the literature. The impact of COVID-19 on cancer care appeared to vary not only across the continent but also over cancer centers. Different factors such as clinic location, services offered, available resources, and level of restrictions imposed because of COVID-19 were associated with these variations. Collectively, delays in treatment and limited access to cancer care were commonly reported in the different regions. There is a lack of data on cancer patients with COVID-19 and online COVID-19 and cancer registries for Africa. Analysis of the available data, however, suggests a higher mortality rate for cancer patients with COVID-19 compared with those without cancer. Positive or silver linings coming out of the pandemic include the adoption of hypofractionated radiation therapy and teleoncology to enhance access to care while protecting patients and staff members. Increasing collaborations using online technology with oncology health professionals across the world are also being seen as a silver lining, with valuable sharing of experiences and expertise to improve care, enhance learning, and reduce disparities. Advanced information and communication technologies are seen as vital for such collaborations and could avail efforts in dealing with the ongoing pandemic and potential future crises.