Early assessment of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening services: The International Cancer Screening Network COVID-19 survey

Abstract

Screening can decrease the burden of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. The COVID-19 pandemic led many countries to suspend cancer screening services as part of their response to the pandemic. The International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN) carried out an online survey to assess the effects of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening. A 33-item survey was distributed to 834 email addresses to gather information about settings and assess decision-making processes that led to cancer screening suspension. Information about communication, impact on resources, and patient follow-up was collected. Quantitative data was analyzed as frequencies overall and by setting, while a comment section under each survey item captured nuanced details. Responses were recategorized into 66 settings, representing 35 countries. Most settings suspended cancer screening services ( n = 60, 90.9%) in March 2020 ( n = 45, 68.2%), guided by a government decision ( n = 51, 77.3%). Few settings made the decision whether to suspend services based on a preparedness plan ( n = 17, 25.8%). In most settings, professionals were reassigned ( n = 41, 62.1%) and infrastructure repurposed ( n = 35, 53.0%). The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on cancer screening worldwide, including the suspension of services in almost all settings. Most settings were unprepared to deal with the scale of the pandemic but demonstrated flexibility in the response. These results contribute to inform, through experiences and lessons learned, the next steps for the global cancer screening community to further evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and prepare for future disruptions.

Implications for health system resilience: Quantifying the impact of the COVID-19-related stay at home orders on cancer screenings and diagnoses in southeastern North Carolina, USA

“…In the context of this article, we considered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated SAH orders on preventive cancer screenings and diagnoses. Employing robust statistical methods to quantify the changes in screenings and diagnoses during periods of system disruption due to disasters may inform strategies that strengthen “health care system capacity and capability needed to respond to emergencies while also maintaining routine services, that, if neglected, could lead to increased morbidity and mortality” ( Puricelli Perin et al, 2021 ).…”

Differences in the Impact of COVID-19 on Pathology Laboratories and Cancer Diagnosis in Girona

“…The decrease in colon, rectal, and anus cancer may be linked to the suspension of the screening program in the province of Girona between March and August 2020. In fact, several studies have quantified the reduction of screenings, both breast and colorectal, at between 40% and 80% from 2019 to 2020, depending on the time of interruption [ 17 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. In this regard, it is surprising not to see a reduction in the diagnosis of breast cancer, although the loss of screening tests could be offset by the increase in chest examinations due to COVID-19, as some studies have noted [ 16 , 30 , 36 ].…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening indicators in a Spanish population-based program: a cohort study

“…In numerous health systems cancer screening programs were among the first activities interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic after its irruption in early 2020. As reported in a survey by the International Cancer Screening Network, 97% of participating settings reported that COVID-19 had adversely impacted their screening programs, while 90% partially suspended their activity (1,2). Even in countries with notable success in containing the pandemic, like Taiwan, the population attending screening decreased during the first half of 2020 (3).…”