Cancer Patient Group: "Normal Treatment at 3 to 4 out of 10 Patients... Treatment Measures Must Be Discussed First"

"Going through a Terrifying May"

Cancer patient organizations have stated that 6 to 7 out of 10 pancreatic cancer patients are not receiving proper medical care, urging the normal operation of the healthcare system.

[Image source=Korean Cancer Patient Rights Association]

The Korea Cancer Patient Rights Association announced on the 7th that this was confirmed after analyzing a survey conducted by the Korea Pancreatic Cancer Patient Association involving 189 pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers aged from their 30s to 80s.

According to the survey results, only about 3 to 4 out of 10 patients received proper medical treatment. This included 34 cases of outpatient treatment delays, 11 cases of chemotherapy delayed by one week, 11 cases delayed by two weeks, and 22 cases where the chemotherapy method was changed from inpatient chemotherapy to portable chemotherapy (carrying a chemotherapy bag and managing it directly).

There were a total of 22 cases of refusal of treatment for new patients, including 7 cases where patients did not receive treatment at tertiary hospitals after the initial cancer diagnosis. The association also pointed out that some patients visited the emergency room due to pain from a chemoport (inserted into a large vein near the heart) but were sent back home.

The association claimed, "The most common case was when inpatient chemotherapy was suddenly changed to portable chemotherapy, requiring families to take care of the patient and manage side effects during the chemotherapy period at home." They added, "Contrary to government and hospital statements that severe and emergency patients are not affected, the most frequent reports of harm were refusals of new patients and rejections of emergency cases."

They also pointed out, "We are going through a fearful May. Cancer diagnoses continue, but delays in chemotherapy and outpatient care have become common, and 'new patients' overwhelmed by mental shock are being denied treatment altogether."

Meanwhile, the association called on the government to conduct a full survey of the medical field and announce cases of harm, demanded that professors at tertiary hospitals withdraw their announcements of one day off per week, urged resigned residents to return to medical practice, and asked the government and medical community to prioritize discussions on patient treatment measures.