If even before the pandemic there was resistance among men to undergo first visits, periodic checks by the urologist or tests that would allow early diagnosis of prostate cancer, with Covid the situation has drastically worsened. In 2020, the fear of accessing health facilities, increasing the likelihood of exposing oneself to the risk of contagion, caused a significant reduction in diagnostic and surgical activities: 90% less than in the pre-pandemic.
And even among cancer patients, fear of contagion has led to worrying numbers of postponement or waiver of follow-up visits. The data was collected by the PRO Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to spreading the culture of prevention in the male population, through two surveys which last October involved 400 urology specialists and as many patients. The results were presented on the eve of World Human Day, which occurs on November 19, as part of the ‘For cancer there is no lockdown’ campaign, carried out by the foundation with the unconditional support of Ipsen.
The results
Last year, in the midst of the pandemic, 9 out of 10 patients refused access to treatment and hospital facilities. Today the situation is improving, but Covid is still scary. In 2021 to date, three out of ten patients suffering from prostate cancer have given up medical visits and three out of ten have always avoided going to hospital; eight out of ten are unaware of whether the therapies they undergo may expose them to a greater risk of contracting the virus. For 70% of urologists, the return to normal is still far away and to have undergone more reductions, compared to pharmacological treatments and surgeries, are precisely the follow-ups.
“A year after the first, we carried out two new surveys to understand if and how the situation had changed – explains Vincenzo Mirone, Professor of Urology at the Federico II University of Naples and President of the Pro Foundation -. The data that emerged show that there is still fear of going to hospitals, but fortunately, with almost all patients vaccinated, the picture is certainly more positive than in the past. In fact, for most of the uro-oncologists interviewed, the near future will see an even better situation. What we have photographed is a slow return to normal, but much remains to be done. As emerged from the polls, the sick are asking to avoid going to the ward. Instead, hospitals are now safe places, where you can and must return to be examined for a tumor that affects 37 thousand people every year in Italy, with 564 thousand living after receiving a diagnosis “.
Safe hospitals
For Fondazione Pro, the awareness campaign can be useful in helping patients who are still disoriented, and who need to be encouraged to return to regular checks. “A year and a half after the spread of the virus we had the opportunity to reorganize ourselves, create new paths in our facilities and thus guarantee the safety of patients – says Silvio Cigolari, Health Department, Flow Management Manager AOU San Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi d ‘Aragona (Salerno) – People can safely access hospitals for both follow-up and first visits, which are essential for prevention. We hope that the vaccination strategy, even for the third dose, will continue smoothly and involve all citizens, because now that the confidence of the sick is gradually increasing we cannot afford to go back to the serious emergency situation of a year ago ” .
Telemedicine and home therapies
The surveys have also shown the need to meet the needs of the patient and favor, for those living with prostate cancer, quarterly and half-yearly therapies, which allow them to go to hospitals less, while maintaining continuity of care.
“93% of patients report that the frequency of administration has a significant impact on the quality of life. The reasons are many and concern in particular those who are forced to be treated away from home – says Giuseppe Procopio, Head of Genitourinary Medical Oncology of the National Cancer Institute of Milan – This must make us reflect on the need to reduce the presence in hospital with therapies home care and telemedicine: the average age at the time of diagnosis is 72, so it is clear how offering online visits can have positive effects both on the well-being of the person and on his adherence to treatment “. Telemedicine can come to the rescue, but with tools that must be simple, effective and above all accessible to all.
The culture of prevention
‘For cancer there is no lockdown’ includes social activities, a booklet for patients printed and distributed in 10 urological excellence centers, and two commercials, one promoted with Massimiliano Allegri and the other featuring Carlo as an exceptional testimonial. Verdone. “It is important that hospitals and scientific societies promote a culture of safety – underlines Tommaso Setilli, cancer patient -. We are sometimes disoriented and in the last two years the fear of contagion has convinced many of us to postpone treatments and checks. Unfortunately, we are aware that this is not the best solution. For this reason, it is necessary to insist that from adolescence each parent takes their child to the urologist, making him understand its importance “. For Stéphane Brocker, CEO of Ipsen SpA, it is necessary to intervene at a national level, but above all at a regional level, to guarantee safe access to care for all patients. “We are proud to have contributed to the realization of this project, which has allowed us to listen to doctors and patients and understand the consequences that the pandemic has caused on them – comments Brocker – Today, thanks to the results that have emerged, we have a greater awareness of the current critical issues. . It is a common responsibility to remember the importance of continuing with the follow-ups and not giving up the correct intake of therapies, as well as working to ensure that the conditions are in place “.
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