The Impact of COVID-19 on Mesothelioma Research

The global pandemic has had a profound impact on all of our lives, not least of these being the ability for malignant mesothelioma researchers to continue their work. With patients fearful of leaving their homes to come in for treatments or examinations and scientists seeing a shortage of funds (and feeling an obligation to participate in the care of COVID-19 patients,) many fear that innovations will be delayed. But a professor of cancer medicine from the University of Oxford thinks the crisis will bring positive change in the long run.

Cancer Medicine Professor Is Optimistic About Research

Those concerned about mesothelioma research can take heart after reading what Professor David Kerr said in an article that appeared in Medscape. A professor of cancer medicine at the highly respected University of Oxford, Kerr acknowledges the hurdles that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed for cancer researchers, but also points to the remarkable ways that patients, physicians and researchers have responded.

Mesothelioma researchers will recognize the truth of what he is saying. In spite of research funding having slowed and staff members having been redeployed and reprioritized, researchers have turned to telemedicine to follow patients. Doing so has kept those vulnerable patients safe while still allowing clinical trial data to be collected. 

Mesothelioma Patients Will Need to Allow Remote Access 

While HIPAA regulations will require mesothelioma patients to grant authorization for remote consultations and access to their electronic health records, there are ways to ensure that confidentially will be maintained. The need for flexibility may also lead to greater collaboration between different research organizations.  

The pandemic has proven that mobile phone apps and telemedicine allow patients to be monitored and supported remotely, giving a sense that clinical trials will still be able to proceed. Though patients will still need to report in person for their treatments, the amount of time that they have to be in the clinic can be cut dramatically, representing a significant improvement in convenience and quality of life, even after the crisis has passed.

If you are a mesothelioma patient who would like more information on participating in a clinical trial, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.

Written by Terri Oppenheimer

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer is the head writer of our Mesothelioma.net news blog. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Terri believes that knowledge is power and she is committed to sharing news about the impact of mesothelioma, the latest research and medical breakthroughs, and victims’ stories.

Learn more about and contact Terri