How prepared the radiotherapy centers are to deal with COVID-19 pandemic? A nationwide survey from 46 cancer centers across India

J Cancer Res Ther. 2022 Jan-Mar;18(1):245-248. doi: 10.4103/jcrt.JCRT_1525_20.

Abstract

Managing of radiotherapy department in many cancer centers in India has become very challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. A radiotherapy center has to deal with multiple problems such as long treatment duration of each patient, high caseload on each radiotherapy machine, a limited number of qualified technical staff available, and equipment maintenance. For the department's smooth running, both the patient and healthcare worker must be safe from contacting COVID-19. A robust and planned strategy is required for prevention, screening, and awareness among all. To access our preparedness and evolve by gaining from other radiotherapy centers, a study was conducted using questionnaires and responses collected from different cancer centers in India.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cancer; cancer centers; oncology; radiotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Radiation Oncology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires