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Importance of Continued Cancer Screening during a Global Pandemic

There is no denying cancer screening transformed cancer care, as it aims to detect cancer before the appearance of symptoms. Timely screening has proven to be an effective tool in early diagnosis and decreasing cancer mortality rates. With early screening and engagement, health professionals are able to connect with patients sooner and tailor treatment plans to individual screening results and tumor characteristics, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

This initial step in cancer care has been dramatically altered due to the global pandemic. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in the United States have classified screening as a low-priority service and suggest healthcare organizations to consider postponing screenings. Many patients are also fearful of exposure to the COVID-19 virus or of overburdening healthcare services and thus have been less likely to present to healthcare services for cancer screening and diagnosis. As a result, the number of tests to screen for cervical, breast and colon cancer fell by 85% or more after the first COVID-19 cases was diagnosed in the U.S..

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Cancer in the time of COVID-19

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread globally at an alarming rate, influencing all sectors of our society. The burden of COVID-19 on health systems has important implications for cancer prevention and treatment, including:

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.trecan.2020.04.005
  1.  an increased risk of infection for cancer patients,
  2.  the suspension of screening, and
  3. the de-prioritization of other cancer care services, including diagnosis and treatment.              

These changes have had and will continue to have a profound impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families, as well as care providers. Patients with cancer are known to be at increased risk for community acquired respiratory viruses due to their immunocompromised state, and are vulnerable to worse outcomes from the infection. They might be more likely to get infections because of the cancer itself, certain cancer treatment modalities, poor nutrition, and other co-morbidities. Patients are also worried about potential exposure to this infectious disease, and have been reluctant to seek health services out of fear that they will be exposed to the virus.

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