Increasingly severe floods, wildfires, and storms can force roads and hospitals to close, impacting cancer patients. Coping measures include having health records on hand and planning ahead during extreme weather.
Wildfires, storms, and floods can lead to missed appointments and hospital closures – with life-and-death consequences . File photo: Female surgeon wearing headlamp in operating room.
, is worried about how climate change can interfere with cancer surgery and care.she co-authored, people with cancer benefit from detecting the disease early and sticking to strict treatment schedules. But increasingly severe floods, wildfires, and storms can force roads and hospitals to close, preventing people from making their appointments.
“So, for instance, if there’s a wildfire, and you are displaced from your home, or the hospital where you are receiving care is no longer functional, that has an immediate and a definite impact on your cancer treatment," Johnson said. “That means that no matter what surgery we are performing, they are at an increased risk for complications, simply because they have been exposed to air pollution and other impacts of climate change," Johnson said.
To minimize disruptions to their care, Johnson says patients should have their health records on hand and plan ahead for how to access treatment during extreme weather. And she says health care providers need emergency preparedness plans to ensure patients get the care they need. Related climate reporting:
Climate Change Cancer Surgery Disruption Health Records Extreme Weather Life-And-Death Consequences
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