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COVID-19 impacts on lung cancer diagnosis, management and timeliness in Victoria
Luc Te Marvelde1,2, Margaret Brand3, Dani Samankula3
1Victorian Cancer Registry, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Background:
The state of Victoria, Australia, had significant lockdowns to prevent spread of COVID-19.
Aim:
To describe its impact on lung cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, treatment utilisation and timeliness of care in Victoria, Australia.
Methods:
Population-wide Victorian Cancer Registry data (1982-2019) were used to predict expected number of lung cancer diagnoses in 2020 and 2021, which were compared with observed diagnoses. Data from the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry were used to study changes in stage and treatment (receipt, guideline concordance and timeliness) comparing the pre-COVID period (1 January 2019-31 March 2020) with the COVID era (1 Apr 2020-31 Dec 2021).
Results:
In the COVID era, 298 (95% CI 217-379) fewer Victorians were diagnosed with lung cancer than expected. Comparing the COVID era with the pre-COVID period, no differences were detected in clinical stage at diagnosis, proportion receiving treatment, guideline concordance and timeliness measures.
Conclusions:
Compared to the expected number of diagnoses, 5% fewer lung cancer diagnoses were observed in 2020 and 2021 combined. Although the healthcare system in Victoria had many disruptions following COVID restrictions, no major negative impacts on treatment utilisation or timeliness were observed.
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