COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cancer control researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center have been awarded a $100,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to study how cancer prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship behaviors are impacted within the context of COVID-19 environmental constraints. The study is a collaboration of faculty from Ohio State’s College of Medicine and College of Public Health.

Led by Electra D. Paskett, PhD, MSPH, the Ohio State team will survey 7,500 people living in rural, metropolitan and Appalachian communities across Ohio, and a second group of cancer patients residing in these same areas. The team will assess the impact of COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions on their compliance with preventive cancer screenings, cancer treatment and follow-up disease monitoring behaviors, as well as their everyday life choices.

In a separate but directly related effort, a team led by Amy Ferketich, PhD, will survey an additional 2,500 adolescent males (1,000) and their parents/guardians (1,500) who live in rural Appalachian Ohio communities as well as Franklin County. Similar questions will be used in this survey to allow for comparison of all data collected. These individuals are part of the Buckeye Teen Health Study, an ongoing statewide research study led by Ferketich and colleague Megan Roberts, PhD, looking at smokeless tobacco products and cigarette use among teens in Ohio. Both are researchers in the College of Public Health and members of the OSUCCC – James Cancer Control Research Program.

Paskett and her cancer control research colleagues are concerned that ongoing COVID-19 restrictions — while absolutely critical to protecting public health — could result in many people delaying important cancer screening exams scientifically shown to detect cancers in earlier, more treatable stages.

“Cancer deaths have gone down in the past decade — largely due to increased compliance with recommended screening exams and lifestyle/behavior changes that reduce a person’s overall risk for disease. With COVID-19 restrictions, we are concerned that people will not get timely screening tests and will simultaneously rely more on tobacco, alcohol and food to cope with the stress of social isolation,” says Paskett, co-director of the OSUCCC – James Cancer Control Research Program and Marion N. Rowley Designated Chair in Cancer Research at the College of Medicine. “In addition, with gyms closed, childcare challenges and social distancing in place, many people are not able to be as physically active. All of this will impact the progress we have been making toward a cancer-free world and could impact our underserved populations even more.”

The OSUCCC – James is in a consortium of five cancer centers funded by the NCI to quantify, understand and develop strategies to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the continuum of cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, especially among vulnerable populations. This includes underserved people with limited access to health care and social support, minority populations and cancer patients. An additional 10 to 12 cancer centers are expected to be part of this study through research partnerships.

For this study, OSUCCC – James researchers will look at how COVID-19 environmental constraints impact engagement in cancer prevention and cancer management/survivorship behaviors within the context of demographic differences such as age, geographic location, race/ethnicity, education and gender. The team will also assess behaviors that impact overall cancer risk, including smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity and compliance with cancer screening tests. Cancer management/survivorship includes completion of the recommended treatment regimen as well as follow-up monitoring for disease recurrence or progression.

Paskett notes that many barriers to cancer care access existed for at-risk populations before COVID-19 restrictions were put in place to protect public health. Employment, social support challenges and other life changes due to COVID-19 are now having an exponential impact on these at-risk populations.

“It is important to understand the scope of this impact in our community so we can take intentional steps to identify and support those at risk of poor outcomes. People are at risk of delaying potentially life-saving cancer treatments or perpetually putting off cancer screening tests and engaging in risky behaviors to cope with stress,” says Paskett.

Information gathered in this study will help policymakers understand how the COVID-19 response has impacted the lives of individuals across Ohio and the nation, and how it could be diminishing cancer-prevention behaviors — possibly setting the stage for an increase in cancer rates over the coming years.

COVID-19 has forced the world to a tipping point,” Paskett adds. “As a society, we have the power to change this picture if we make small changes that have lasting impacts on how we care for the most vulnerable among us. The time for action is now.”

Researchers expect to begin surveying in June 2020 and continue for roughly six months, pending institutional review board approval. Other Ohio State co-investigators in this study include Heather Hampel, LGC, Mary Ellen Wewers, RN, PhD, MPH, Peter Shields, MD, Daniel Stover, MD, and James Chen, MD.

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Media Contact: Amanda J. Harper
OSUCCC – James Media Relations
Direct Line: 614-685-5420
Central Media Relations: 614-293-3737
Amanda.Harper2@osumc.edu