DELAYS in colorectal cancer screening due to the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to higher rates of advanced-stage cancer and death, according to a new study. When compared with a delay of less than 3 months, the longer delay seen this year may result in an 11.9 percent increase in death rates.

“Across the globe, health care systems are facing serious difficulties while dealing with COVID-19, and it is imperative that support is given to the public and patients throughout the crisis, including for high-impact diseases such as colorectal cancer,” Luigi Ricciardiello, the lead study author and a professor at the University of Bologna in Italy, said in a statement.

Ricciardiello and colleagues presented their research Monday at UEG Week Virtual 2020, an international conference for gastroenterologists. The study will be published in the UEG Journal. The researchers created a model to forecast the effects of delayed cancer screening during 2020. A “moderate” delay of 7-12 months caused a 3 percent increase in advanced-stage colon cancer, and a long delay of more than 12 months caused a 7 percent increase in advanced cancer.

Based on a survival rate of 5 years for stage 3 or stage 4 colorectal cancer, the death rate would increase nearly 12 percent when screening is delayed for more than a year, as compared with less than 3 months of delay.

Throughout the pandemic, screening programs have been delayed in many countries, particularly across Europe.

“Healthcare authorities need to act urgently on how they reorganize activities during COVID-19, without compromising the diagnosis of other high-impact diseases,” Ricciardiello said. “Early-stage diagnosis of colorectal cancer is crucial — it’s far easier to treat and enhances optimal patient outcomes,” Ricciardiello said.

(SD-Agencies)