Cancer and COVID-19: the impact of missed screenings in vulnerable communities By Sobhika Agarwala, PhD
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to steep declines in cancer screenings, particularly in underserved communities, which have led to decreased diagnoses and could result in thousands of deaths, worsening cancer disparities. It has been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented public health crisis throughout the world. Although the immediate threat of COVID-19 has decreased due to vaccination efforts, its devastating effects will be felt for years to come. Especially concerning is the drop in cancer screening rates, with the most dramatic reduction in screening occurring in medically underserved communities. This has led to decreases in diagnosis and treatment and is expected to result in thousands of preventable deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the screening rates for breast and cervical cancers fell by more than 80%, with the most severe declines occurring in populations of low-income women of color.
The threat of worsening cancer outcomes has been recognized by the international cancer research community as a leading priority. In a June 2020 editorial, Norman E. Sharpless, MD, director of the National Cancer Institute, expressed concerns about the mortality related to breast and colorectal cancer in particular. Early projections showed that if these trends continue, mortality for these cancer types is expected to increase by nearly 10,000 in the next 10 years in the U.S. alone as a result of missed cancer screenings and treatment, assuming a disruption of 6 months. However, the pandemic has lasted far longer than anyone anticipated, so the effects could be greater.
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