Two WSU teams receive Andy Hill Cancer Fund grants

At a time when all Washingtonians are dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are particular impacts for cancer patients and their families. This new coronavirus is especially of concern for survivors and those undergoing treatment of cancer. It presents a new health concern that must be understood to continue to provide the best care for patients and their families. This grant program seeks to advance research at the intersection of COVID-19 and cancer.

Evaluating the Impact of Deferred Cancer Preventive Care in the Era of COVID-19

Washington State University (Principal Investigator: Ofer Amram, PhD)

This research aims to understand the patterns of deferred or missed cancer screening for MultiCare members across Washington state while taking into consideration the inequities in the uptake of cancer prevention services. The research team will use de-identified administrative data from MultiCare clinics throughout Washington State to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lock-down on cancer screening by gathering data regarding the cancellation of screenings or preventative visits, delay in care, as well as the number of positive cervical, breast, or colon cancer cases that went undiagnosed between March and May in 2020. This data will then be compared with data from March through May in previous years. The results from this study will provide timely evidence on unintended consequences of COVID-19 related public health measures and enable decision-makers to better maintain health services for cancer prevention.

Jul 13, 2020

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Well-Being of Rural and American Indian Cancer Patients in Washington State

Washington State University (Principal Investigator: Patrik Johansson, MD, MPH)

This research is a seminal investigation of the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and well-being of cancer patients living in rural and tribal communities in Washington State. The research team will conduct a cross-sectional study to examine the impacts of COVID-19 on selected measures of health, healthcare, personal, socio-cultural, and economic outcomes among cancer patients from 15 clinics serving these constituencies. The study, conducted by the Northwest Health Education Research Outcomes Network (known as NW HERON), an interdisciplinary practice-based research network at Washington State University, will capitalize on an existing network of healthcare facilities affiliated with the Elson S. Floyd School of Medicine.