Fear of COVID-19 Among the Elderly Newly Diagnosed With Cancer Referred to Selected Hospitals Affiliated to Alborz University of Medical Sciences

The present study aims to determine the fear of COVID-19 in the elderly newly diagnosed with cancer referred to selected hospitals affiliated to Alborz University of Medical Sciences.

In this longitudinal study, 174 elderly people newly diagnosed with cancer referred to the selected hospitals participated, who were selected using a continus sampling method. To collect data, a demographic form, the Abbreviated Mental Test, and the 7-item fear of COVID-19 scale were used before diagnosis, one month after, and two months after. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 22.

Fear of COVID-19 level at the time of cancer diagnosis was moderate (mean score: 17.69±4.74). In the second stage (one month after the diagnosis), the mean score was 14.26±4.09. In the third stage (two months after diagnosis), the mean score was 11.81±4.13. Fear of COVID-19 at the time of cancer diagnosis was significantly different based on marital status (P=0.049), underlying diseases (P=0.014), and perception of health (P=0.004). 

Fear of COVID-19 can disrupt the process of treatment and chemotherapy in elderly patients with cancer. It is recommended to develop interventions to improve the mental health of the elderly with cancer during the pandemic.