Effect of early COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survivors

Written By : Isra Zaman

Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Published On 2022-08-23 03:30 GMT | Update On 2022-08-23 03:30 GMT

Recent research indicates that during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of working-aged U.S. adults without health insurance did not change despite increases in unemployment, and the prevalence of unhealthy behaviors decreased. The findings, which were published by Wiley online in CANCER, pertained to individuals with and without a history of cancer.

To investigate, Xuesong Han and her colleagues used data from the nationwide, population-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System-an annual household telephone survey-to examine changes in multiple health-related measures in 2020 among cancer survivors, comparing them with adults without a history of cancer. Specifically, they assessed health insurance coverage, access to care, employment, health behaviors, and self-reported health.

Among adults aged 18–64 years, the uninsured rate did not change significantly in 2020 despite increases in unemployment. The prevalence of unhealthy behaviors, such as insufficient sleep and smoking, decreased in 2020, and self-rated health improved, regardless of cancer history. Declines in smoking were more significant among cancer survivors than among adults without a cancer history.

"Our findings suggest that the pandemic may have motivated people to adopt certain healthier behaviors, and national and regional policy responses to the pandemic regarding insurance coverage, unemployment benefits, and financial assistance may have contributed to the observed positive changes," said Dr. Han. "As policies related to the public health emergency expire, ongoing monitoring of longer-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survivorship is warranted."

Ref:

"The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and health among cancer survivors in the United States." Xuesong Han, Sylvia Kewei Shi, Jingxuan Zhao, Leticia M. Nogueira, Priti Bandi, Stacey A. Fedewa, Ahmedin Jemal, and K. Robin Yabroff. CANCER; Published Online: August 22, 2022 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34386).

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Isra Zaman

Isra Zaman is a Life Science graduate from Daulat Ram College, Delhi University, and a postgraduate in Biotechnology from Amity University. She has a flair for writing, and her roles at Medicaldialogues include that of a Sr. content writer and a medical correspondent. Her news pieces cover recent discoveries and updates from the health and medicine sector. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.

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Effect of early COVID-19 pandemic on cancer survivors

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