The coronavirus pandemic has brought many challenges along the way for those requiring health care on a regular basis. A nationwide survey found almost 80 percent of cancer patients have seen a delay in their cancer treatment.

“It’s a very real and scary problem for cancer patients right now,” Julie Hart, senior New York Government Relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

“I was scheduled to have prophylactic hysterectomy surgery for a BRCA2 gene mutation and suspicious ovarian cysts,” Adina Perullo, a Levittown resident, and breast cancer survivor said. “The surgery was postponed because of COVID-19 related policies. This increases my fear that in the time it takes to get surgeries back on the schedule, cancer could begin to appear and/or grow.”

Hart says financial constraints have also been an added burden. With so many workers being laid off, nearly a quarter of cancer patients say they are at risk of losing their health insurance.

“When your bottom line is impacted that impacts your ability to access health care as well,” Hart explained.

Although it is uncertain when lawmakers might return for the Legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is asking the Legislature to pass a bill that will allow more flexibility and coverage for cancer screenings.

“We need to make sure if people have access to say co-pay coupons that they can use towards their deductibles,” Hart said. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing this trend where insurance companies are saying you know what we’re not going to let you use that toward your out of pocket costs which just isn’t fair.”

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is encouraging cancer patients to keep an open dialogue with their doctors about safe ways to continue accessing their treatment.