COVID-19 and Its Implications for Cancer Prevention and Control: A Collaborative Effort Across Cancer Centers

University Of Alabama At Birmingham, Birmingham AL

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Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The unexpected COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to trigger major behavior changes worldwide, which, consequently, may have significant implications for cancer prevention, management, and survivorship efforts, particularly among sub-populations experiencing cancer disparities. Thus, it is imperative to be prepared and adapt our ongoing and future strategies across the cancer care continuum within this new context through participatory evidence-based approaches. Given the urgency, and how rapidly these changes are occurring, we must take advantage of ongoing collaborative efforts to maximize resources and accelerate implementation of these new strategies based on the needs and wants of different sub-populations in the U.S. The overall goal of this collaborative with four other cancer centers (Iowa, Detroit, Colorado, and Ohio) is to work together to rapidly develop a standard set of core questions to incorporate into surveys that can be administered to populations across the U.S. using protocols that can be delivered by cancer center/university staff working remotely (e.g., online and telephone). Although five cancer centers are moving forward with the supplement, other cancer centers are willing to join our efforts so we have begun a coordinated effort to engage them in the process in the event additional resources become available. The specific aims are: 1. To assess how differences in demographics (rural/urban, age, gender, race, educational attainment) will impact engagement in cancer preventive behaviors (e.g., tobacco cessation) and cancer management/survivorship behaviors (e.g., adherence to treatment, adherence to surveillance) in the context of COVID-19 environmental constraints (e.g., social distancing, employment, mental health, etc.) among adult healthy volunteers, cancer patients, and cancer survivors in Alabama (field center); 2. To provide coordination of efforts and technical assistance regarding data management and analysis to all participating cancer centers (coordinating center); 3. To strengthen the collaboration with the participating cancer centers toward the development and implementation of cancer prevention & control strategies in the context of COVID-19 (coordinating center)