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Global Report Cards

This report focuses specifically on the experience of those diagnosed with an indolent lymphoma, and the challenges living with a chronic cancer brings. Despite the existence of defined care pathways and referral processes, patients’ experiences are rarely linear and always unique, which allows space for gaps in support. Through gaining a better understanding of the challenges and issues that patients’ face during each phase of their care, LC hopes to bring awareness to and aid in bridging these gaps.

  • Diagnosis delays;
  • Negative impact on patients’ quality of life;
  • Access to credible, useable information to help them engage in their own care decisions;
  • Healthcare systems are not patient-centred and do not reflect the unique needs of patients living with indolent lymphomas, especially those in active monitoring.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel (or new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. On 11 March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the entire oncology community and has altered healthcare delivery for a duration that cannot yet be estimated. Patients with cancer are more susceptible to COVID-19 not only because of their underlying malignancy, but also because of the anti-cancer therapies they undergo that result in a suppressed immune system.

It is important that the challenges associated with managing patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic be identified and mitigated for current and future pandemic preparedness, as well as ensuring the long-term impact of actions taken during the current pandemic are tracked and analysed.

This report points to various COVID-19-related impacts on patients with cancer, specific to lymphomas and CLL where possible, that have been identified through research. The specific areas of impact include:

  • Clinical care and practice
  • Psychosocial effects, including data from the Lymphoma Coalition 2020 Global Patient Survey (LC 2020 GPS)
  • Cancer research
  • Patient organisations

Major gaps in care for patients with cancer are identified and summarised, and recommendations for closing these gaps are described.