Reduction in Standard Cancer Screening in 2020 throughout the U.S

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Cancer screening is crucial for reducing cancer burden and mortality.
• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine healthcare, including cancer screening services.
• Potential exacerbation of existing cancer disparities in the U.S. due to screening delays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening rates in the U.S.
• To compare pre-pandemic (2014-2019) and pandemic-affected (2020) screening percentages.
• To identify disparities in cancer screening among different racial and ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2014-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey.
• Estimated percentages of adults meeting U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) screening recommendations for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers.
• Compared cancer screening percentages from April-December 2020 with 2014-2019 averages.

Main Results:

• Cancer screening percentages decreased in 2020 compared to 2014-2019, affecting multiple racial groups.
• Mammography and colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy decreases were higher among American Indian/Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, and multiracial individuals.
• Pap test decreases were most pronounced in Hispanic, White, Asian, and African American/Black populations. Decreased mammograms were also observed in women aged 40-49.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in essential cancer screenings.
• Screening reductions disproportionately impacted underserved racial and ethnic minority groups, widening health disparities.
• Further decreases are anticipated, likely leading to substantial increases in cancer disparities in subsequent years.