Please note that the content below is no longer being updated but was accurate at the time of posting, September 17, 2021. ASCO is maintaining member access to this information for historical reference purposes only.
Results from the ASCO Registry
The ASCO Survey on COVID-19 in Oncology (ASCO Registry) has compiled results on COVID-19 severity and mortality for cancer patients. Included was a conclusion that 30- and 90-day mortality in cancer patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection improved throughout 2020, likely related to improved clinical management. This article was published in JCO Oncology Practice.
COVID-19 Vaccination in Health Care Workers
With COVID-19 case counts rising amid the spread of the Delta variant, the Association for Clinical Oncology joined more than 50 health care professional societies and organizations that represent millions of workers throughout health and long-term care in calling for all health care employers to require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Addressing Oncologist Burnout and Well-Being
In the fall of 2020, ASCO’s Clinical Well-Being Task Force conducted four virtual focus groups with U.S. ASCO member oncologists. Discussion included personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on oncologist burnout. The results of the study have been published in JCO Oncology Practice.
Provider and Practice Information
ASCO has prepared a special report, A Guide to Cancer Care Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The report, developed with input from clinical experts, including ASCO’s Clinical Practice Committee, the COVID-19 Clinical Questions Advisory Group, and others, is intended to assist practices in developing their policies related to triage, screening, diagnostic testing, infection prevention and control, telemedicine, and other aspects of practice operations. This guide is available in eight languages: Arabic, Chinese (simplified), English, French, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, and Spanish (Latin America).
COVID-19 Resources for Research Sites
The ASCO Center for Research and Analytics (CENTRA) has compiled resources to help support oncology researchers in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a rapidly evolving situation and these resources will be updated periodically. If you have a resource you would like to share, please email the CENTRA team.
ASCO Guidance on Allocation of Scarce Resources During COVID-19 Pandemic
ASCO released new recommendations for the oncology community to consider as institutions across the country potentially face making difficult decisions about the allocation of resources. The recommendations are not meant to be a guide for making individual allocation decisions.
The recommendations affirm the “inherent worth and dignity of each patient affected by cancer” and state that allocation decision processes “should not unconditionally deny patients with cancer consideration for access to scarce resources.”
Read the full recommendations published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
For a list of additional ethics resources, please view COVID-19 Ethics Resources for Oncologists.
Monitoring Drug Shortages During COVID-19 Pandemic
ASCO encourages its members to work together to ensure judicious use of any scarce resources. It is quite possible that we will experience drug shortages as the pandemic continues, but there are resources available with reliable information. The FDA maintains a list of drugs in shortage, which includes information on the expected duration of shortage and alternative suppliers, when available.
The FDA has requested that providers report any critical drug or biological products that may be in shortage or being closely monitored or rationed in your facility. Please include in your submission why the drug is considered critical in your practice. To report a shortage, visit How to Report a Product Shortage or Supply Issue to FDA.
Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Care
CancerLinQ has compiled data on the impact of COVID-19 on various aspects of cancer care. Visit COVID-19 ASCO/CancerLinQ Data Insights for regular updates.
Articles from ASCO Journals to Assist Providers and Practices
Recently published articles in ASCO Journals related to COVID-19 are available on the ASCO Publications site.
Disclaimer
Answers to questions about COVID-19 published herein are provided by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (“ASCO”) for voluntary, informational use by providers in the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus crisis. This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions, does not endorse products or therapies, recommend or mandate any particular course of medical care, and is not a statement of the standard of care. New evidence may emerge between the time information is developed and when it is published or read. The information is not comprehensive or continually updated. This information is not intended to substitute for the independent professional judgment of the treating provider in the context of treating the individual patient. ASCO provides this information on an “as is” basis, and makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the information. ASCO specifically disclaims any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. ASCO assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of this information or for any errors or omissions. Use of the information is subject to the complete ASCO website Terms of Use.