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. 2022 Aug;7(4):100538.
doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100538. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Position paper of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology on the impact of COVID-19 on Italian oncology and the path forward: the 2021 Matera statement

G D Beretta  1 , R Casolino  2 , D C Corsi  3 , F Perrone  4 , M Di Maio  5 , S Cinieri  6 , G Gobber  7 , M Bellani  8 , F Petrini  9 , M T Zocchi  10 , F Traclò  11 , V Zagonel  12 ; Italian Society of Palliative Care (SICP); Italian Society of Psycho-Oncology (SIPO); Italian Society of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Reanimation, and Intensive Care (SIAARTI); Italian Federation of Voluntary Associations in Oncology (FAVO); Italian Foundation of Medical Oncology (Fondazione AIOM); Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM)
Affiliations

Position paper of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology on the impact of COVID-19 on Italian oncology and the path forward: the 2021 Matera statement

G D Beretta et al. ESMO Open. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has severely affected cancer care and research by disrupting the prevention and treatment paths as well as the preclinical, clinical, and translational research ecosystem. In Italy, this has been particularly significant given the severity of the pandemic's impact and the intrinsic vulnerabilities of the national health system. However, whilst detrimental, disruption can also be constructive and may stimulate innovation and progress. The Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) has recognized the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care continuum and research and proposes the '2021 Matera statement' which aims at providing pragmatic guidance for policymakers and health care institutions to mitigate the impact of the global health crisis on Italian oncology and design the recovery plan for the post-pandemic scenario. The interventions are addressed both to the pillars (prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, health care professionals) and foundations of cancer care (communication and care relationship, system organization, resources, research, networking). The priorities to be implemented can be summarized in the MATERA acronym: Multidisciplinarity; Access to cancer care; Telemedicine and Territoriality; Equity, ethics, education; Research and resources; Alliance between stakeholders and patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; cancer care; policy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Foundations and pillars of cancer care to be enhanced.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Alliances, networking, and new synergies. AIOM, Italian Association of Medical Oncology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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