Oral Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2021

A cancer journey through COVID (#159)

Deborah Maher 1
  1. Shepparton private hospital, Shepparton Nortb, VICTORIA, Australia

I will be talking about my families journey through my fathers cancer diagnosis and my own during the covid-19 pandemic last year and the impact of separation, isolation and loss of any support during one of the darkest times of our lives.

Whilst the physical side of cancer treatment is a challenge enough nobody realises the impact of not having any support during this time. The lack of a voice to advocate for you or just hold your hand when you are frightened. The impact of this separation and isolation during treatment has left a long lasting effect on myself and my family.