Venezuelan Oncology Society Demands Uninterrupted Cancer Care Post-Earthquake

The Venezuelan Society of Oncology (SVO) has issued an urgent appeal to national health authorities and medical centers, demanding the guarantee of continuous cancer treatments for patients affected by the recent earthquakes. The organization expressed grave concern that any interruption to ongoing therapies could critically jeopardize patient prognoses.

In a statement released on Instagram, the SVO underscored that cancer does not cease its progression in the face of disaster. Ten days after the seismic events, the society emphasized that cancer care must remain a top priority within the national health response. "Cancer does not stop before a catastrophe. Ten days after the earthquake, suspending or delaying therapeutic regimens seriously compromises the survival of patients," the SVO stated.

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Cancer does not stop before a catastrophe. Ten days after the earthquake, suspending or delaying therapeutic regimens seriously compromises the survival of patients.

The scientific society insisted that chemotherapy cycles, radiotherapy, and supportive care must proceed without interruption in all functional health centers. Any modifications to treatment plans should be based solely on strict medical criteria, not administrative decisions. Furthermore, the SVO called for immediate activation of patient referral systems to transfer individuals whose treatment facilities have been rendered unusable by earthquake damage.

The organization also urged healthcare personnel in temporary shelters to identify immunocompromised patients. They stressed the need to ensure these vulnerable individuals have access to adequate biosecurity conditions, safe water, and measures to prevent infectious diseases. The SVO reiterated its commitment to providing technical recommendations to authorities to help preserve specialized cancer care during the ongoing emergency.

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Given the high vulnerability due to immunosuppression, the SVO urges maintaining the non-interruption of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive therapy cycles in all functional centers, which should be a strictly medical decision and not administrative.