COVID-19 Pandemic Leads to Drastic Drop in Cancer Diagnoses in the U.S.
A new analysis reveals that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant decline in cancer diagnoses in the US, with rates falling by around 15% in 2020 compared to the previous year, equivalent to approximately 125,000 fewer diagnoses. However, the true number of missed cancers could be even higher, possibly in the hundreds of thousands. The study highlights the impact of reduced access to routine care, screenings, and diagnostic tests during the pandemic. The decline in diagnoses was most pronounced for early-stage cancers, increasing the risk of the disease spreading and becoming harder to treat. Individuals facing barriers to healthcare access, such as Hispanic, Asian American, Pacific Islander, uninsured, and socioeconomically deprived populations, were disproportionately affected. Experts warn that delayed and missed cancer diagnoses may lead to increased cancer deaths in the future, although the full extent may not be reflected in data for years to come.