COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupts Cancer Care and Outcomes in Alberta, Canada

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Calgary have found that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected cancer care and outcomes in Alberta, Canada. A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) evaluated the impact of the state of emergency period during the pandemic on cancer diagnoses, stage at diagnosis, and 1-year survival. The study found significant reductions in diagnoses of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers, as well as melanoma, and lower 1-year survival rates for patients diagnosed with colorectal, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and uterine cancers in 2020 compared to 2018.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected cancer diagnoses and outcomes in Alberta, Canada, with significant reductions in diagnoses of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers, as well as melanoma.
  • The study found that the reductions in cancer diagnoses largely occurred among early-stage rather than late-stage diagnoses.
  • Patients who received a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and uterine cancer in 2020 had lower 1-year survival than those diagnosed in 2018.
  • The results suggest that health care disruptions during the pandemic in Alberta considerably affected cancer outcomes.
  • Additional system capacity may be needed to mitigate future impact, particularly for early-stage cancers and those with organized screening programs.

Statistics:

  • Significant reductions in diagnoses of breast cancer (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.76).
  • Significant reductions in diagnoses of prostate cancer (IRR 0.64, 95% CI 0.56-0.73).
  • Significant reductions in diagnoses of colorectal cancer (IRR 0.64, 95% CI 0.56-0.74).
  • Significant reductions in diagnoses of melanoma (IRR 0.57, 95% CI 0.47-0.69).
  • Lower 1-year survival rates for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (18.1%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (21.1%), and uterine cancer (23.1%) in 2020 compared to 2018.

Sources:

  • Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2023;195(23).
  • NewsRx LLC (2023, July 31). New Findings from University of Calgary in COVID-19 Provides New Insights (Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic On Cancer Diagnoses, Stage and Survival In Alberta). Clinical Oncology Week, p 303.