Reduction in Standard Cancer Screening in 2020 throughout the US

Simple Summary The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on health care including cancer screening. We examined 2020 compared to the 2014-2019 cancer screening percentages in the United States (US) based on a national survey. We saw overall decreases in screening mammograms, pap tests, and sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy. Most decreases were higher among American Indian/Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, and multiracial participants, but decreases in pap test were also high among African-Americans/Blacks. As the pandemic expanded into 2021, cancer screening reduction is expected to be higher, increasing cancer disparities. Cancer screening is an important way to reduce the burden of cancer. The COVID-19 pandemic created delays in screening with the potential to increase cancer disparities in the United States (U.S.). Data from the 2014-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey were analyzed to estimate the percentages of adults who reported cancer screening in the last 12 months consistent with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation for cervical (ages 21-65), breast (ages 50-74), and colorectal cancer (ages 50-75) prior to the pandemic. Cancer screening percentages for 2020 (April-December excluding January-March) were compared to screening percentages for 2014-2019 to begin to look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Screening percentages for 2020 were decreased from those for 2014-2019 including several underserved racial groups. Decreases in mammography and colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy were higher among American Indian/Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, and multiracial participants, but decreases in pap test were also highest among Hispanics, Whites, Asians, and African-Americans/Blacks. Decreases in mammograms among women ages 40-49 were also seen. As the 2020 comparison is conservative, the 2021 decreases in cancer screening are expected to be much greater and are likely to increase cancer disparities substantially.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on cancer screening in the United States, with noticeable decreases in screening percentages among racial minority groups. The importance of cancer screening was underscored, and it is expected that the 2021 data will show even greater decreases.