The impact of the UK COVID-19 lockdown on the screening, diagnostics and incidence of breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer in the UK: a population-based cohort study

• DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1370862
• Publication Date: 2024-03-27T05:13:17Z
• Authors: Nicola L. Barclay; Marta Pineda Moncusí; Annika M. Jödicke; Daniel Prieto-Alh...; Berta Raventós; Danielle Newby; Antonella Delmestri; Wai Yi Man; Xihang Chen; Marti Català
• Keywords: Rate ratio

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic had collateral effects on many health systems. Cancer screening and diagnostic tests were postponed, resulting in delays diagnosis treatment. This study assessed the impact of screening, diagnostics incidence breast, colorectal, lung, prostate cancer; whether rates returned to pre-pandemic levels by December, 2021. Methods is a cohort electronic records from United Kingdom (UK) primary care Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD database. included individuals registered with CPRD between January, 2017 2021, at least 365 days clinical history. focused tests, referrals diagnoses first-ever cancer. Incidence (IR) stratified age, sex, region, rate ratios (IRR) calculated compare during after lockdown before lockdown. Forecasted estimated using negative binomial regression models. Results Among 5,191,650 eligible participants, first resulted reduced for all cancers, which remained dramatically across whole observation period almost investigated. There significant IRR reductions breast (0.69 [95% CI: 0.63-0.74]), colorectal (0.74 0.67-0.81]), (0.71 0.66-0.78]) cancer diagnoses. lung non-significant (0.92 0.84-1.01]). Extrapolating entire UK population, an 18,000 13,000 10,000 21,000 missed March, 2020 Discussion substantial referrals, significantly lower than cancers associated Delays are likely have adverse consequences stage, treatment initiation, mortality rates, years life lost. Urgent strategies needed identify undiagnosed cases address long-term implications delayed