• Telehealth is a “lifeline” for people with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to expert panelists at the Telehealth Awareness Week’s “The Virtual Patient Perspective” webinar.
• Telehealth allows people with cancer to consult with their care teams without the health risks of in-person visits.
• In-person visits are still necessary and encouraged for some screenings, tests, procedures, and treatments.

Telehealth has proven invaluable to people living with conditions such as lung cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling individuals who are immunocompromised to access health care services from the safety of their own homes. Panelists delivered this message during a recent webinar at the Telehealth Awareness Week event.

“One thing we heard from a cancer survivor really stuck with me about the importance of telehealth during the pandemic. She had shared that for someone who is high-risk and immunocompromised, going in-person during times of pandemic is, quite frankly, terrifying,” said panelist Rachel Solomon, director of policy for Cancer Support Community. Quoting the cancer survivor, Solomon said, “‘I spent five years of my life fighting to stay alive, and I don’t want to compromise my health in any way because I have to go to the doctor.’”

The Telehealth Awareness Week event, hosted by the American Telemedicine Association from Sept. 19 through Sept. 25, explored the role telehealth plays in delivering health care services. Solomon and Rick Aranson, senior director of patient care services of Susan G. Komen, were among the health care and industry professionals leading “The Virtual Patient Perspective” webinar. They discussed the role of telemedicine in health care accessibility and satisfaction, as well as the challenges posed by remote health care.

Telehealth as a Lifeline

Panelists noted the many benefits telehealth has provided to those living with cancer — especially in the time of COVID-19.

“Telehealth has really been a lifeline for breast cancer patients,” Aranson stated. Although certain diagnostic and assessment procedures — like X-rays or biopsies — must be done in person, he noted, remote health care has allowed those with cancer to access routine care during a time of public health crisis.

People with cancer and those undergoing cancer treatments can be immunocompromised. This puts them at a higher risk of developing infections. Both having cancer and receiving cancer treatment also increase a person’s risk of experiencing severe illness from COVID-19. Research indicates that people with lung cancer, in particular, are at an increased risk of death from COVID-19 compared to those with other types of cancer.

People living with lung cancer may now be eligible for a third dose of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine. These extra shots are intended for those who either did not develop sufficient COVID-19 immunity following their two-dose series or who experienced a drop in immunity afterward.

Access to Virtual Support Services

Telehealth is a vital resource for those looking to consult with their oncology teams without the potential risk of gathering indoors. Though the American Cancer Society still urges those with a history of cancer to undergo regular in-person screenings, appointments that don’t require physical testing may be able to be conducted remotely.

Also of importance, both panelists noted, were support resources — particularly access to patient help lines. Both Susan G. Komen and the Cancer Support Community saw a considerable increase in calls to their help lines during 2020.

Aranson noted that calls came from individuals with an array of needs, including emotional support, patient-navigation services, financial assistance, and connection to resources. Solomon, too, emphasized that telehealth services have played an important role in the delivery of mental health care.