Survey: Half of Cancer Research Halted Due to COVID-19

According to a survey from the American Cancer Society (ACS), just more than half of grantees reported that their cancer research or training activities had been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In early April 2020, ACS surveyed all of its funded researchers (n=744) to assess the state of their projects and collect information to guide its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 488 grantees responded, yielding a 66% response rate.

COVID-19 impact on cancer research

When asked how the pandemic has impacted their work, 51% indicate a high impact, with all research or training activities paused until further notice; 43% report a modest impact, with some aspects of research on pause; and 7% report a low impact, with research or training continuing as planned.

When asked about where they were working during the pandemic, 54% were working entirely remotely, 32% were working mostly remotely with occasional in-person visits to the office/campus/lab, and only 8% were working mostly or entirely in their normal setting (6% in a clinical setting, 2% in a research setting).

“It is abundantly clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on cancer research,” said William C. Phelps, PhD, ACS senior vice president of extramural research, in a press release. “In some labs queried for our survey, all non-essential research had been halted, with research on COVID-19 being the only type of research being encouraged. In addition to the deceleration in progress against cancer, these laboratories and institutions will face significant additional costs associated with restarting the cancer research enterprise in the coming months.”

Based on the effects of the pandemic, ACS said it will delay the start date of its next round of grants from July 1, 2020, to September 1, 2020.