Disruptions in Cancer Care During COVID-19 Pandemic Have Lasting Impact on Quality of Health Care

Research by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has revealed the far-reaching consequences of COVID-19 on cancer-related healthcare appointments and perceived quality of healthcare among cancer survivors. A study, published in the Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, found that disruptions in cancer screening, lower socioeconomic status, and negative patient experiences were associated with poorer perceived quality of healthcare. The study analyzed data from 2021 Health Information National Trends Survey-Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, and found that among cancer survivors who visited a healthcare provider in the past 12 months, 25.0% to 39.6% reported disrupted cancer screening, and 12.5% to 22.5% perceived suboptimal quality of healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

• Disruptions in cancer screening, treatment, and follow-up appointments were reported by 25.0% to 39.6% of cancer survivors who visited a healthcare provider in the past 12 months.
• Cancer survivors with lower education and income, longer wait times for results, and negative patient experiences were more likely to perceive suboptimal quality of healthcare.
• Pregnant COVID-19 cases are a public health concern, and continuous efforts are needed to address existing disparities to ensure equitable access to quality of healthcare post-pandemic.
• The study used data from 2021 Health Information National Trends Survey-Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, and included a sample of 1130 cancer survivors.
• The research identified predictors associated with perceived quality of healthcare, adjusting for sex and age.
• Among cancer survivors with scheduled appointments, 16.6% to 33.9% reported disrupted treatment or follow-up related to their cancer diagnosis.

Statistics:

• 25.0% to 39.6% of cancer survivors reported disrupted cancer screening, and 16.6% to 33.9% reported disrupted treatment or follow-up.
• 12.5% to 22.5% of survivors perceived suboptimal quality of healthcare.
• Odds ratios ranged from 2.64 to 19.31 for predictors associated with perceived quality of healthcare.

Sources:

• Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 2025, 62.
• National Cancer Institute (NCI) Researchers Target COVID-19 (Suboptimal Quality of Health Care and Associated Socioeconomic Factors Among Cancer Survivors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study), Cancer Weekly, May 20, 2025, p 99.