Mental Distress and Fears and Their Association with Health Care Access and Non-Adherence of Patients with Cancer to Treatment during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly challenged cancer patients’ health and diseasemanagement.Objective(s): Assessment of mental distress and fears and their association with access to health careand non-adherence of patients with cancer to treatment during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The study was conducted using a cross sectional approach. Data was collected from 285randomly selected patients with cancer from a sizeable university hospital. The collected dataincluded sociodemographic characteristics, medical histories, and medication adherence. The Kessler6-item fear of COVID-19, fear of cancer recurrence scale, and medication adherence report scalewere used.Results: Breast cancer was the most prevalent type of cancer (44.9%). About 23.2% of patientsreported experiencing more mental distress during the pandemic. The mean values of the COVID-19and cancer recurrence fear scales were 13.2 and 11.3, respectively. More than half (51.9%) ofinterviewees reported decreased access to healthcare services, primarily because of hospitalprecautions and a shortage in prescription drugs (39.9% and 39.2%, respectively). A greater fearscore of cancer recurrence, younger age, higher mental health distress, and the perceived influence ofCOVID-19 on social life were the significant variables associated with a rising COVID-19 fear score.Conclusion: The pandemic adversely affected patients with cancer access to care, mental health, andtreatment adherence. Appropriate policies should be considered to mitigate this impact in futuresimilar events.