COVID-19 and cancer
Norman E. Sharpless
Abstract
With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), countries and states have instituted lockdowns. These decisions have been difficult and are sometimes described as benefiting the public health at the expense of the economy. Fear of contracting the coronavirus in health care settings has dissuaded people from screening, diagnosis, and treatment for non–COVID-19 diseases. The consequences for cancer outcomes, for example, could be substantial. What can be done to minimize this effect?
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Public healthCoronavirus2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)DiseaseCancerPandemicHealth careMedicinePublic health policyBusinessEnvironmental healthEconomic growthHealth policyInfectious disease (medical specialty)VirologyEconomicsPathologyOutbreakInternal medicineCOVID-19 and healthcare impacts