Many Americans faced significant delays in their cancer screenings, such as colonoscopies, mammograms, and lung scans, due to the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelming healthcare systems in 2020. Despite these postponed screenings, recent data suggests that the situation may not be as alarming as initially feared.
A new report indicates that cancer death rates continue to decline, and there have not been substantial increases in late-stage diagnoses. This report, which is the most comprehensive analysis of the pandemic’s impact on cancer statistics in the U.S., was released recently.
During the height of the pandemic in 2020, there was a noticeable uptick in the number of cancers being diagnosed at later stages, making treatment more difficult. However, by 2021, these concerning statistics returned to levels typical before the pandemic for most cancer types.
According to Recinda Sherman, the lead author from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the current data is promising. She stated, “So far, we haven’t seen an excess of late-stage diagnoses,” which suggests that the pandemic likely won’t result in higher cancer death rates.
In 2020, the number of newly diagnosed cancer cases also saw a decline, but this number rebounded to its pre-pandemic levels by 2021. Interestingly, this decline was consistently observed across various states, indicating that local behaviors and hospital policies were more influential than state-imposed restrictions.
While there was a slight increase in late-stage diagnoses for cervical and prostate cancers in 2021, these changes were minimal. It’s important to note that the data only extends through 2021, leaving room for further analysis.
Sherman emphasized, “We didn’t see any notable shifts,” reassuring that it is unlikely that individuals with aggressive forms of cancer went undiagnosed during the pandemic.
This report was a collaborative effort among several health organizations, including the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the National Cancer Institute, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overall, the findings present a balanced view, highlighting that although the pandemic posed challenges, the long-term effects on cancer diagnoses may not be as severe as once thought.
