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Higgins Á, O'Reilly S, O'Sullivan MJ. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on symptomatic breast cancer presentations in an Irish breast cancer unit: a retrospective cohort study. Ir J Med Sci 2024:10.1007/s11845-024-03688-4. [PMID: 38639840 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-024-03688-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused delays in the diagnosis and management of breast cancer which may have affected disease presentation. The aim of this study was to compare rates of metastatic disease, tumour characteristics and management in breast cancer patients diagnosed before and after the onset of COVID-19. METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients in a university teaching hospital who were diagnosed with invasive symptomatic breast cancer in 2019 (prepandemic control group) and in 2020, 2021, and 2022 (pandemic study groups). Rates of new metastatic presentations, tumour histopathological characteristics, operation type, and therapies administered were statistically compared. RESULTS A total of 1416 patients were identified. There was a significant increase in new metastatic breast cancer presentations in 2022 compared to 2019 (14.0% vs 3.8%, p ≤ 0.001), with non-significant increases in 2020 and 2021. Rates of adjuvant radiotherapy increased in 2020 and decreased in 2022 compared to 2019, with no significant change in neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy rates. Rates of axillary surgery increased during 2020 and 2021. There was an increase in high-grade tumours and lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and less frequent oestrogen receptor (ER) positivity in pandemic groups. No significant change was noted in BCS to mastectomy ratios, overall nodal positivity rates, or median tumour size. CONCLUSION Symptomatic breast cancers diagnosed since the onset of COVID-19 demonstrated an increase in new metastatic presentations and more aggressive histopathological characteristics when compared to a pre-pandemic control group. Rates of adjuvant radiotherapy and axillary surgery increased during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Áine Higgins
- Department of Breast Surgery, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Seamus O'Reilly
- Department of Medical Oncology, College of Medicine and Health, Cork University Hospital and Cancer Research@UCC, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Martin J O'Sullivan
- Department of Breast Surgery, College of Medicine and Health, Cork University Hospital and Cancer Research@UCC, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Barclay NL, Pineda Moncusí M, Jödicke AM, Prieto-Alhambra D, Raventós B, Newby D, Delmestri A, Man WY, Chen X, Català M. The impact of the UK COVID-19 lockdown on the screening, diagnostics and incidence of breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer in the UK: a population-based cohort study. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1370862. [PMID: 38601756 PMCID: PMC11004443 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1370862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic had collateral effects on many health systems. Cancer screening and diagnostic tests were postponed, resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment. This study assessed the impact of the pandemic on screening, diagnostics and incidence of breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer; and whether rates returned to pre-pandemic levels by December, 2021. Methods This is a cohort study of electronic health records from the United Kingdom (UK) primary care Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD database. The study included individuals registered with CPRD GOLD between January, 2017 and December, 2021, with at least 365 days of clinical history. The study focused on screening, diagnostic tests, referrals and diagnoses of first-ever breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer. Incidence rates (IR) were stratified by age, sex, and region, and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated to compare rates during and after lockdown with rates before lockdown. Forecasted rates were estimated using negative binomial regression models. Results Among 5,191,650 eligible participants, the first lockdown resulted in reduced screening and diagnostic tests for all cancers, which remained dramatically reduced across the whole observation period for almost all tests investigated. There were significant IRR reductions in breast (0.69 [95% CI: 0.63-0.74]), colorectal (0.74 [95% CI: 0.67-0.81]), and prostate (0.71 [95% CI: 0.66-0.78]) cancer diagnoses. IRR reductions for lung cancer were non-significant (0.92 [95% CI: 0.84-1.01]). Extrapolating to the entire UK population, an estimated 18,000 breast, 13,000 colorectal, 10,000 lung, and 21,000 prostate cancer diagnoses were missed from March, 2020 to December, 2021. Discussion The UK COVID-19 lockdown had a substantial impact on cancer screening, diagnostic tests, referrals, and diagnoses. Incidence rates remained significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels for breast and prostate cancers and associated tests by December, 2021. Delays in diagnosis are likely to have adverse consequences on cancer stage, treatment initiation, mortality rates, and years of life lost. Urgent strategies are needed to identify undiagnosed cases and address the long-term implications of delayed diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola L. Barclay
- Pharmaco− and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Pineda Moncusí
- Pharmaco− and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Annika M. Jödicke
- Pharmaco− and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Prieto-Alhambra
- Pharmaco− and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus Medical Center University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Berta Raventós
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Danielle Newby
- Pharmaco− and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Antonella Delmestri
- Pharmaco− and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Wai Yi Man
- Pharmaco− and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Xihang Chen
- Pharmaco− and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marti Català
- Pharmaco− and Device Epidemiology, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Marty S, Lamé G, Guével E, Priou S, Chatellier G, Tournigand C, Kempf E. Impact of the Sars-Cov-2 outbreak on the initial clinical presentation of new solid cancer diagnoses: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:143. [PMID: 38287348 PMCID: PMC10823607 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11795-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic might have delayed cancer diagnosis and management. The aim of this systematic review was to compare the initial tumor stage of new cancer diagnoses before and after the pandemic. METHODS We systematically reviewed articles that compared the tumor stage of new solid cancer diagnoses before and after the initial pandemic waves. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to compare the rate of metastatic tumors and the distribution of stages at diagnosis. Subgroup analyses were performed by primary tumor site and by country. RESULTS From 2,013 studies published between January 2020 and April 2022, we included 58 studies with 109,996 patients. The rate of metastatic tumors was higher after the COVID-19 outbreak than before (pooled OR: 1.29 (95% CI, 1.06-1.57), I2: 89% (95% CI, 86-91)). For specific cancers, common ORs reached statistical significance for breast (OR: 1.51 (95% CI 1.07-2.12)) and gynecologic (OR: 1.51 (95% CI 1.04-2.18)) cancers, but not for other cancer types. According to countries, common OR (95% CI) reached statistical significance only for Italy: 1.55 (1.01-2.39) and Spain:1.14 (1.02-1.29). Rates were comparable for stage I-II versus III-IV in studies for which that information was available, and for stages I-II versus stage III in studies that did not include metastatic patients. CONCLUSIONS Despite inter-study heterogeneity, our meta-analysis showed a higher rate of metastatic tumors at diagnosis after the pandemic. The burden of social distancing policies might explain those results, as patients may have delayed seeking care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Marty
- Department of medical oncology, Henri Mondor and Albert Chenevier Teaching Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000, Créteil, France
| | - Guillaume Lamé
- Laboratoire Genie Industriel, CentraleSupélec, Paris Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Etienne Guével
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Innovation and Data, IT Department, Paris, France
| | - Sonia Priou
- Laboratoire Genie Industriel, CentraleSupélec, Paris Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Gilles Chatellier
- Department of medical informatics, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris (APHP-CUP), Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Tournigand
- Department of medical oncology, Henri Mondor and Albert Chenevier Teaching Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000, Créteil, France
| | - Emmanuelle Kempf
- Department of medical oncology, Henri Mondor and Albert Chenevier Teaching Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000, Créteil, France.
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratoire d'Informatique Médicale et d'Ingénierie des Connaissances pour la e-Santé, LIMICS, Paris, France.
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De Santis KK, Helmer S, Barnes B, Kraywinkel K, Imhoff M, Müller-Eberstein R, Kirstein M, Quatmann A, Simke J, Stiens L, Christianson L, Zeeb H. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncological care in Germany: rapid review. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:14329-14340. [PMID: 37507594 PMCID: PMC10590309 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05063-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic affected medical care for chronic diseases. This study aimed to systematically assess the pandemic impact on oncological care in Germany using a rapid review. METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, study and preprint registries and study bibliographies were searched for studies published between 2020 and 2 November 2022. Inclusion was based on the PCC framework: population (cancer), concept (oncological care) and context (COVID-19 pandemic in Germany). Studies were selected after title/abstract and full-text screening by two authors. Extracted data were synthesized using descriptive statistics or narratively. Risk of bias was assessed and summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Overall, 77 records (59 peer-reviewed studies and 18 reports) with administrative, cancer registry and survey data were included. Disruptions in oncological care were reported and varied according to pandemic-related factors (e.g., pandemic stage) and other (non-pandemic) factors (e.g., care details). During higher restriction periods fewer consultations and non-urgent surgeries, and delayed diagnosis and screening were consistently reported. Heterogeneous results were reported for treatment types other than surgery (e.g., psychosocial care) and aftercare, while ongoing care remained mostly unchanged. The risk of bias was on average moderate. CONCLUSIONS Disruptions in oncological care were reported during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Such disruptions probably depended on factors that were insufficiently controlled for in statistical analyses and evidence quality was on average only moderate. Research focus on patient outcomes (e.g., longer term consequences of disruptions) and pandemic management by healthcare systems is potentially relevant for future pandemics or health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Karolina De Santis
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology- BIPS, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Helmer
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Barnes
- German Center for Cancer Registry Data, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Kraywinkel
- German Center for Cancer Registry Data, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Germany
| | - Maren Imhoff
- German Center for Cancer Registry Data, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Mathia Kirstein
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology- BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Anna Quatmann
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Julia Simke
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Lisa Stiens
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Lara Christianson
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology- BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology- BIPS, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Feron Agbo C, Assogba E, Bertaut A, Mamguem Kamga A, Coutant C, Desmoulins I, Dancourt V, Sandrine Dabakuyo Yonli T. Impact of Covid-19 on breast cancer stage at discovery, and time to treatment in Cote d'Or, France. Prev Med Rep 2023; 34:102248. [PMID: 37292424 PMCID: PMC10193771 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuing overcrowding in the French health system, management of patients with COVID-19 was given priority over that of patients with other pathologies, including chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to study the impact of COVID-19 on the stage of discovery of cancers diagnosed in the context of an organized breast cancer screening programme, as well as the impact on time to treatment. All women diagnosed with cancer in the Côte d'Or via organized breast cancer screening (first or second reading) from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 were included in this study. Using data from pathological laboratories, clinical centers, and the breast and gynecological cancer registry of the Côte d'Or, France, we collected socio-demographic, clinical and treatment data on all patients. We compared data from the year 2019 (before-Covid) with the year 2020 (Covid). We did not observe a significant difference in the stage of breast cancer at discovery, or in time to treatment. However, the number of invasive cancers and the clinical size of in situ cancers both increased in 2020. Although these results are reassuring, continued monitoring is needed to determine the downstream effects of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Feron Agbo
- Breast and Gynaecologic Cancer Registry of Côte d'Or / Epidemiology and Quality of Life Research Unit, Georges-François Leclerc Cancer Centre-UNICANCER Centre, 1 rue Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Emerline Assogba
- Breast and Gynaecologic Cancer Registry of Côte d'Or / Epidemiology and Quality of Life Research Unit, Georges-François Leclerc Cancer Centre-UNICANCER Centre, 1 rue Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
- National Clinical Research Platform on Quality of Life and Cancer, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Aurélie Bertaut
- Methodology and Biostatistics Unit, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Dijon, France
| | - Ariane Mamguem Kamga
- Breast and Gynaecologic Cancer Registry of Côte d'Or / Epidemiology and Quality of Life Research Unit, Georges-François Leclerc Cancer Centre-UNICANCER Centre, 1 rue Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
- Lipids, Nutrition, Cancer Research Center, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1231, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Charles Coutant
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 1 rue Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
| | | | - Vincent Dancourt
- Inserm U866, Faculté de médecine, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- Association pour le Dépistage des Cancers en Côte d'Or et dans la Nièvre (ADECA 21-58), Dijon, France
| | - Tienhan Sandrine Dabakuyo Yonli
- Breast and Gynaecologic Cancer Registry of Côte d'Or / Epidemiology and Quality of Life Research Unit, Georges-François Leclerc Cancer Centre-UNICANCER Centre, 1 rue Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
- Lipids, Nutrition, Cancer Research Center, French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1231, 21000 Dijon, France
- National Clinical Research Platform on Quality of Life and Cancer, 21000 Dijon, France
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Myers C, Bennett K, Cahir C. Breast cancer care amidst a pandemic: a scoping review to understand the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on health services and health outcomes. Int J Qual Health Care 2023; 35:mzad048. [PMID: 37497806 PMCID: PMC10373113 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzad048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health services for breast cancer (BC) have been disrupted. Our scoping review examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BC services, health outcomes, and well-being for women. Additionally, this review identifies social inequalities specific to BC during the pandemic. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines, the literature search was conducted using scientific databases starting from March 2020 through November 2021. Studies were identified and selected by two researchers based on inclusion criteria, and the relevant data were extracted and charted to summarize the findings. Ninety-three articles were included in this review. Main themes included are as follows: (i) the impact of COVID-19 on BC services; (ii) the impact of COVID-19 on health outcomes and well-being in women with BC; and (iii) any variation in the impact of COVID-19 on BC by social determinants of health. There were apparent disruptions to BC services across the cancer continuum, especially screening services. Clinical repercussions were a result of such disruptions, and women with BC experienced worsened quality of life and psychosocial well-being. Finally, there were social inequalities dependent on social determinants of health such as age, race, insurance status, and region. Due to the disruption of BC services during the COVID-19 pandemic, women were impacted on their health and overall well-being. The variation in impact demonstrates how health inequities have been exacerbated during the pandemic. This comprehensive review will inform timely health-care changes to minimize long-term impacts of the pandemic and improve evidence-based multidisciplinary needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Myers
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science, Dublin D02 DH60, Ireland
| | - Kathleen Bennett
- Data Science Centre, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science, Dublin D02 DH60, Ireland
| | - Caitriona Cahir
- Data Science Centre, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science, Dublin D02 DH60, Ireland
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Oymans EJ, de Kroon CD, Bart J, Nijman HW, van der Aa MA. Incidence of gynaecological cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: A population-based study in the Netherlands. Cancer Epidemiol 2023; 85:102405. [PMID: 37356263 PMCID: PMC10281225 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2023.102405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown on the number of diagnoses of gynaecological malignancies in the Netherlands. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) on women of 18 years and older diagnosed with invasive endometrial, ovarian, cervical or vulvar cancer in the period 2017-2021. Analyses were stratified for age, socioeconomical status (SES) and region. RESULTS The incidence rate of gynaecological cancer was 67/100.000 (n = 4832) before (2017-2019) and 68/100.000 (n = 4833) during (2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparing the number of diagnoses of the two periods for the four types of cancer separately showed no significant difference. During the first wave of COVID-19 (March-June 2020), a clear decrease in number of gynaecological cancer diagnoses was visible (20-34 %). Subsequently, large increases in number of diagnoses were visible (11-29 %). No significant differences in incidence were found between different age groups, SES and regions. In 2021 an increase of 5.9 % in number of diagnoses was seen. CONCLUSION In the Netherlands, a clear drop in number of diagnoses was visible for all four types of gynaecological cancers during the first wave, with a subsequent increase in number of diagnoses in the second part of 2020 and in 2021. No differences between SES groups were found. This illustrates good organisation of and access to health care in the Netherlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline J Oymans
- Department of Research & Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Godebaldkwartier 419, 3511 DT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Cor D de Kroon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Joost Bart
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans W Nijman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike A van der Aa
- Department of Research & Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Godebaldkwartier 419, 3511 DT Utrecht, the Netherlands
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COVID-19 related decline in cancer screenings most pronounced for elderly patients and women in Germany: a claims data analysis. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04433-z. [DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04433-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to analyze the utilization of cancer screenings in Germany before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The objective of the analysis was to identify the population at particular risk and to derive recommendations for the future use of resources to prevent long-term deteriorations in health outcomes.
Methods
The analysis was conducted based on claims data of all preventive health services for 15,833,662 patients from the largest statutory health insurance fund in Germany. Utilization of general female cancer screening, general male cancer screening, general health checkup, colorectal cancer screening stool test, colorectal cancer screening consultation, colonoscopy, skin cancer screening, and mammography screening was compared before (2017–2019) and during (2020) the pandemic.
Results
Data of a total of 42,046,078 observed screenings showed that the utilization of the individual screenings developed differently, but that the overall utilization decreased significantly by 21.46% during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.001). At the same time, no catch-up effects were detected for total screenings throughout the entire year 2020. The highest decline in screenings was found for the elderly (p < 0.001) and women (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Because the elderly are at higher risk for cancer, the omission of early detection might lead to higher treatment costs, reduced quality of life, and higher mortality. In addition, women's medical care in particular has been negatively affected, for example, by the interruption of mammography screenings and the lack of catch-up effects. Therefore, resources must be targeted to reduce burdens on health outcomes and public health in the long term.
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