What challenges does the humanitarian crisis and large number of refugees from Ukraine pose for Polish oncology?

Abstract

The war in Ukraine has led to a massive influx of refugees into Poland, posing a major challenge for the health care system. The large number of refugees will undoubtedly lead to a substantial increase in the number of patients requiring treatment for a wide range of conditions, including cancer. In the present article, we describe and discuss the many difficulties faced by cancer treatment centres in Poland due to these circumstances. Key issues include the lack of proper diagnostic testing in this population and differences in oncological practices between Poland and Ukraine. Other problems include difficulties in obtaining patients’ medical records and communication issues caused by the language barrier. In addition, in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the low vaccination rate among Ukrainian refugees is also a significant risk factor. Addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive approach involving the national health care agency and individual cancer centres. This is especially important in oncology due to the interdisciplinary nature of the field, which requires the contribution of specialists from many different fields as well as appropriate funding.