The findings of an initial virtual survey that was presented at the 2021 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium demonstrate that the coronavirus pandemic had a negative influence on patients who suffer from genitourinary malignancies. Genitourinary cancers are mainly found in the male reproductive system and the urinary system. These cancers include adrenal cancer, testicular cancer, urethral cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer and cancers of the penis.
The preliminary survey highlights that as a result of the pandemic, almost 12% of study participants missed at least one dose of a prescribed medication, 12% avoided making the trip to a pharmacy to receive required medication, and roughly 17% reported that they avoided or delayed seeking medical care. Another 26% reported that the coronavirus pandemic led to a decline in household income.
Dr. Hala Borno, the assistant clinical professor at the University of California’s Genitourinary Oncology Program and the lead investigator of the survey, noted that in addition to this, nearly 64% of the respondents revealed that they were afraid of being hospitalized since the pandemic began, with 26% admitted to being concerned that the coronavirus pandemic could worsen the care they received for their cancers while another 25% felt that the pandemic had affected their cancer treatment.
An estimated 96 patients participated in the survey, with Borno stating that 14 of them suffered from bladder cancer, 20 from kidney cancer, and the remaining sixty-four from prostate cancer. More than half of these patients revealed that their cancers had achieved metastasis.
The survey asked a few questions regarding the changes initiated by their physicians in cancer care, with the results showing that 13% of the patients admitted that their physicians had reduced the frequency of clinic visits while another 61% said that their physicians monitored their treatment by telephone or video.
In an interview with Renal & Urology News, Borno stated that the coronavirus pandemic had affected all aspects of cancer care and forced physicians to reevaluate the burdens they placed on patients pertaining to both cancer clinical trials and standard treatments. She explained that the researchers observed a remarkable shift toward the utilization of telemedicine, which was beneficial to many. However, she noted that researchers needed to closely examine whether this shift to the use of telemedicine would widen the treatment gap for the most vulnerable patients.
The researchers involved in the survey are now working to recruit ethnic and racial minorities in an attempt to evaluate the burdens of the coronavirus pandemic across a heterogeneous patient population.
The future may not all be bleak for patients suffering from genitourinary cancers as many companies, including Imagin Medical Inc. (CSE: IME) (OTCQB: IMEXF), are working to advance various aspects of care for these types of cancers.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Imagin Medical Inc. (CSE: IME) (OTCQB: IMEXF) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/IMEXF
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