Chapters Transcript Video Covid-19 Study Shows Sharp Decline in Cancer Screenings and Diagnoses there were nearly 1500 fewer cases of cancer and pre cancerous lesions diagnosed in the New England area in the first peak of the Cove in 19 Pandemic. I think those are very substantial decreases. Dr. Ziad Bocconi is co first author of a research letter published in JAMA Oncology and part of a team of researchers from both Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital that analyzed the data of both cancer screenings and diagnosis from March 2nd two June 2nd 2020 the early days of the pandemic in the United States. E Think in general, the first sort of peak of the pandemic was a shock to everyone. Everything was disrupted in many different ways, and everybody was doing as best they can. The team compared data on five key cancer screening tools. Mammography, P s, a colonoscopy, Pap smear and low dose CT scan. They looked at the data of those same screenings and diagnoses in the three months before the first search, the three months after the first surge and the same period in 2019. One thing that is reassuring is that during the subsequent three months we did see it's a near complete recovery in the sense that the number of cancer screening tests and the number of cancer diagnoses that ensue from the screen test went back to a near normal levels. Researchers also say they might have expected the number to be even higher. The percentage in screening tests resulting in a cancer or pre cancer diagnosis was higher than at other times, possibly because doctors were prioritizing high risk patients at a time of limited screening availability. But for patients who go beyond those three months and go for prolonged periods where they miss their cancer screening tests, we could see unfortunately, patients presenting later on with MAWR advanced presentations, Dr Makoni says. Having the actual data can help healthcare systems adapt as they're still dealing with the impact of Cove in 19. So I think the key message here is for patients in general. If you've missed your cancer screening, it's a good idea to contact your providers eso that you do not miss it Published January 29, 2021 Created by
