Back when COVID-19 first made itself known in the United States, experts in mesothelioma and other cancers worried that the pandemic would have long-term impacts on diagnosis, treatment and research. Eighteen months later the virus is still with us, but so are vaccines and boosters. In a recent interview, Ned Sharpless, director of the National Cancer Institute, revisited his earlier concerns and expressed some hope for lessons learned.
Excess Mesothelioma Deaths Likely from COVID-19
One of the first things that Sharpless admits is that the disruption caused by the pandemic undoubtedly led to some excess deaths from cancers, and that comment includes those with the rare, asbestos-related disease. Malignant mesothelioma is an extremely fast-moving disease that does not show symptoms until it is already far advanced. Even with aggressive treatment and early diagnosis it claims lives in a very short period, so if patients delayed seeing their doctors out of fears of the virus, it likely led to faster deaths than would otherwise have been the case.
Additionally, pleural mesothelioma affects the lung, which are the same organs most impacted by COVID-19. Patients who were already in treatment were far more vulnerable to the virus and were faced with the Catch-22 scenario of skipping life extending treatments or putting themselves at risk of exposure.
Mesothelioma Screening Among Millions Missed Due to COVID
Sharpless says that there were probably 10 million cancer screenings that were skipped as a result of COVID-19, and there is no telling how many of those would have detected mesothelioma in those exposed to asbestos. Later diagnosis leads to a poorer prognosis. There are also fears that there were fewer patients enrolled in clinical trials, thus delaying potentially life-saving research outcomes.
Fortunately, the arrival of effective and safe vaccinations and boosters have provided enough protection for mesothelioma patients to return to the care that they need. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with this rare and fatal form of cancer, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
