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Excited to share new data on cancer screening during the #COVID19 pandemic in our study just published in @JAMAOnc
Pleased to work with co-first authors Marco & @dr_aschmidt and co-senior authors @DrChoueiri & @qdtrinh
@DanaFarber @BrighamWomens
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2774867
Pleased to work with co-first authors Marco & @dr_aschmidt and co-senior authors @DrChoueiri & @qdtrinh
@DanaFarber @BrighamWomens
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2774867
We considered 5 screening tests (Mammography, PSA, Colonoscopy, Pap smears, and Low-dose CT scans) & evaluated the changes in the number of screening tests performed + ensuing diagnoses during the first peak of the pandemic (03-06/20) in #MA vs. 3 control periods using #MGB data
We found that all 5 cancer screening tests were substantially decreased during the pandemic period and that this was accompanied by a decrease in cancer + pre-cancer diagnoses.
Reassuringly, the 06-09/20 period saw a near-complete recovery of the number of tests performed.
Reassuringly, the 06-09/20 period saw a near-complete recovery of the number of tests performed.
The extent of decrease in the ensuing cancer diagnoses (-19% to -78%) was less pronounced than that of cancer screening tests (-60% to -82%).
This was because a greater % of screening tests yielded a cancer/pre-cancer diagnosis --> likely reflecting risk-based prioritization.
This was because a greater % of screening tests yielded a cancer/pre-cancer diagnosis --> likely reflecting risk-based prioritization.
Overall, had there not been a decrease in cancer screening tests during the 3-month "peak" pandemic period, we would have expected that there would have been 1,438 additional cancer/pre-cancer diagnoses made (based on the numbers in the previous 3 months).
1) Screening tests decreased during the peak of the pandemic and there was a substantial decrease in diagnoses.
2) 2 silver linings:
The decrease in diagnoses was minimized by risk-based prioritization & there was a recovery in the number of tests after the peak of the pandemic.
2) 2 silver linings:
The decrease in diagnoses was minimized by risk-based prioritization & there was a recovery in the number of tests after the peak of the pandemic.
