Dr. Baskin on Mitigating Patient Concerns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Prostate Cancer

Monica L. Baskin, PhD, professor, Division of Preventive Medicine, vice chair for culture and diversity, Department of Medicine, associate director, Community Outreach and Engagement, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, discusses mitigating patient concerns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in prostate cancer.

Concerns regarding delayed screening and treatment for patients with prostate cancer have mounted amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Baskin says. In order to address this, it is critical to reassure patients that they can receive therapy on time and in a safe manner. 

The steps that are in place to mitigate a patient's risk of contracting COVID-19 should be thoroughly explained prior to administering therapy, Baskin emphasizes.

Ultimately, this will ​allow patients ​to voice any specific concerns or barriers they have to receiving care and hopefully, increase screening and on-time treatment administration, Baskin concludes.