/ Updated July 13th, 2020

Ovarian Cancer Treatment During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Creator: Dr. Daynelle Dedmond
Published: 2020-05-25T13:15:27-04:00

Medical Source: Dr. Daynelle Dedmond
Centura Health

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Treatment goes on in spite of the pandemic.

While surgery may be postponed in some cases, most treatments for ovarian cancer, including regular chemotherapy, can be continued
Hospital and medical office practices may be altered because of COVID-19, and you may be assessed for infection before treatment can begin
You will likely be required to wear a mask during your doctor’s visit, or in the hospital, and unfortunately family and friends may be prohibited from visiting
As COVID-19 continues, doctors say the order of treatment may also be altered for some women

Living through a pandemic is tough enough, but living through a pandemic while being treated for cancer presents even greater challenges. Fortunately there's no need to forgo important treatment during the pandemic. Hospitals and individual providers have taken many steps to ensure the safety of their patients, though there are special considerations to be aware of.

"Patients with ovarian cancer are quite at risk during the pandemic," says Dr. Daynelle Dedmond, a gynecologic oncologist with Centura Health in Colorado Springs. She explains that chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and recent surgery may make patients more vulnerable, as does the need for ongoing medical care which requires people to leave their homes and venture into the community. But Dr. Dedmond explains that these factors don't necessarily mean changing treatment decisions, since hospitals are aware of these risks and have changed their usual procedures to address them.

Patients will probably need to wear a mask as soon as they step out of their car and enter the hospital. The doctors and hospital staff will be wearing masks, too.
Many patients coming to the hospital may not be able to bring support people, including family and friends, with them. That reduces the number of contacts in the hospital and further helps protect patients and staff.
Hospitals are also trying to immediately assess patients coming to the hospital to be sure they’re not already infected with the new coronavirus, in order to protect other patients and hospital staff.

"We assess them immediately when they come to the hospital to make sure they haven't had any recent contacts with people who may be ill, or people who have actually been diagnosed with Covid-19," says Dr. Dedmond. "We also check that they haven't had recent travel that would put them at risk. We do this assessment when they first come in, and assuming they're cleared for treatment, we then also take special precautions during procedures, particularly in the operating room during high-risk situations such as intubation."

Dr. Dedmond explains that yes, the pandemic has changed hospital policies and required that doctors and hospitals institute special precautions during cancer treatments. But because of those precautions, treatments can safely be performed when they're recommended, and it's not necessary for cancer patients to postpone crucial therapy for months until the pandemic has been brought under control.

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Dr. Daynelle Dedmond is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist with Centura Health. Read More

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