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UK cancer patients were more likely to die following COVID-19

Cancer patients from the UK were 1.5 times more likely to die following a diagnosis with COVID-19 than cancer patients from European countries.

This is the finding of a study of over 1000 patients – 924 from European countries and 468 from the UK – during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team, led by Imperial College London, said the study highlights the need for UK cancer patients to be prioritised for vaccination. 

The study tracked data between 27 February to 10 September 2020, across 27 centres in six countries: Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany and the UK.

The results, published in the European Journal of Cancer, showed that 30 days after a COVID-19 diagnosis, 40.38% of UK cancer patients had died, versus 26.5% of European patients.

Six months after a COVID-19 diagnosis, 47.64% of UK cancer patients had died, compared to 33.33% of European patients. 

Dr. David Pinato, lead author of the study from Imperial’s Department of Surgery and Cancer, commented: “This is the first study showing UK cancer patients were more likely to die following a COVID-19 diagnosis compared to European patients. We knew the UK had one of the highest deaths rates from COVID-19.

"However, in addition to this, prior to COVID-19 the UK already lagged behind European nations in terms of cancer care, with the UK having lower survival rates from many cancers compared to many other EU nations. We need to now prioritise cancer patients in the UK, as this study suggests they are extremely vulnerable – more so than in many other countries.”

The study also found that UK patients were less likely to be receiving cancer treatment at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, compared to European patients. This was most likely due to guidance from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, say the team, which recommended pausing cancer treatment during the first UK wave of COVID-19, due to concerns cancer treatment would increase risk of COVID-19. 

However, the study found pausing cancer treatment did not affect risk of death following COVID-19 diagnosis. The study also found equal proportions between the UK and EU of complicated COVID-19 cases, rates of intensive care admission and use of ventilation. In addition to this, UK cancer patients were less likely to receive anti-COVID-19 therapies including corticosteroids, anti-virals and interleukin-6 antagonists. There were also similar rates of admission to intensive care units. 

The study team added that UK cancer patients tended to be more frail than European cancer patients, which may have led to the increased death rates following a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Dr. Alessio Cortellini, co-author of the paper from the Department of Surgery and Cancer, added: “UK cancer patients tended to be older than European patients, were more likely to be male, and have other conditions such as obesity or diabetes. All of these may have contributed to the increased mortality rate, and show why cancer patients should be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination.”

The study was supported by the National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre.

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Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

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