ASPO Abstracts
Living with Metastatic Cancer in the Deep South amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Category: COVID-19 and Cancer
Conference Year: 2021
Abstract Body:
Purpose: To assess experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic among metastatic cancer survivors (MCS)
residing in the Deep South.
Methods: Participants were recruited from a cohort of MCS who provided consent for future research. In July
2020, using a modified Dillman method, 188 MCS were mailed a 69-item comprehensive survey of COVID-19
experiences (e.g., COVID-19 exposure, healthcare and financial disruptions, and coping). Returned surveys were
double-key entered into Qualtrics software. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were used to
characterize the study sample and survey responses.
Results: One hundred and sixteen surveys were returned (62% response rate). Respondents (47% female; 92%
Caucasian; 8% African American; Mage=66 years; Msurvivorship=53 months) were representative of the potential
sample of MCS (18% female cancers; 11% gastrointestinal; 21% genitourinary; 11% pulmonary; 33% melanoma;
5% other). Sixteen percent reported a decrease in income due to job loss and were worried about losing health
insurance. While none of the MCS tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of the survey (24% were tested), many
had loved ones test positive (42%) or die (16%) of COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, 16% of MCS reported purposely
not attending a scheduled in-person cancer care appointment, 35% did not keep general healthcare appointments,
and 10% avoided seeking emergency care. Sixty percent practiced social isolation (M=65 days). Many MCS
transitioned to telehealth (47%), and reported satisfaction with their telehealth experience (86% cancer care; 80%
general health). Some MCS (36%) feared the pandemic would negatively affect their cancer treatment or recovery
and over half (57%) were concerned that they had a greater risk of dying from COVID-19. MCS report using their
experience in coping with cancer to deal with COVID-19 (79%), experiencing a deeper appreciation of life (77%)
and loved ones (79%), being more grateful for each day (79%), and more accepting of things they cannot change
(75%).
Conclusions: Direct outreach and intervention to support continuity of cancer care among MCS is vital. Future
research is needed to investigate the potential downstream effects of disruptions to cancer care and how
telehealth may aid in addressing this issue.
Keywords: Metastatic Cancer Survivors, COVID-19, healthcare disruptions, coping