Launching Close the Loop: What cancer patient organisations are facing five years after COVID-19

As part of the Global Cancer Coalitions Network, we were proud to contribute to Close the Loop, a new global report examining how cancer patient organisations are navigating the post-COVID landscape.

Drawing on data from 104 organisations across 45 countries, the report captures the lived reality of patient organisations supporting millions of people affected by cancer, at a time of rising demand, limited resources and health systems that are still recovering five years after the pandemic.

Doing more with fewer resources

The report highlights a clear imbalance between patient needs and organisational capacity. More than two-thirds of organisations (69%) report higher demand for patient services today than before the pandemic. At the same time, nearly two-thirds (62.8%) say their income has either remained static or declined, often against a backdrop of rising costs and inflation.

For many organisations, this gap is already affecting sustainability. Over 42% report that their current income is not sufficient to meet patient needs, a figure that rises sharply in low- and middle-resource settings. Despite this, organisations continue to expand support wherever possible, often stretching limited teams and volunteer networks to meet growing demand.

New ways of supporting patients

One of the lasting legacies of COVID-19 has been the transformation of how patient support is delivered. Today, over three-quarters of organisations (77%) provide direct patient services, with remote and hybrid models now embedded as part of routine care.

Online education, peer support, counselling, patient navigation and recorded webinars have enabled organisations to reach patients who may otherwise face barriers to access, including those living in remote areas, managing mobility challenges, or balancing treatment with work and family responsibilities. At the same time, telephone-based support remains essential, particularly in regions where reliable internet access is still limited.

For many organisations, these new models have expanded reach while helping manage costs, but they have also increased expectations from patients seeking timely, accessible support.

Health systems still recovering

While cancer services have improved since the height of the pandemic, recovery remains uneven. Only around half of organisations report that key diagnostic and treatment services have fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, with persistent delays affecting screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

Despite this, patient organisations are not always included in recovery planning. Only one-third (32%) report being involved in government-led consultations on restoring cancer services, representing a missed opportunity to incorporate patient perspectives into health system rebuilding. Respondents estimate that, on average, the pandemic set cancer diagnosis and treatment back by three years, with even longer delays reported in lower-resource settings.

Looking ahead

Despite ongoing challenges, the message from the report is clear: patient organisations remain focused on what matters most: patients. Across regions and cancer types, organisations show determination to continue adapting, innovating and supporting those affected by cancer.

Close the Loop provides clear evidence that patient organisations are not an optional extra, but essential partners in resilient health systems. Recognising, involving and sustainably supporting their role will be critical to improving cancer care outcomes worldwide.

We are proud members of the Global Cancer Coalitions Network and invite you to learn more about how GCCN supports and connects patient organisations worldwide.