Key facts
- An estimated 55,000 cancer cases went undiagnosed across seven high-income countries.
- The timeframe for missed diagnoses was between April and December 2020.
- The affected countries include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK.
- Lockdowns and health-system disruptions are cited as reasons for the missed diagnoses.
- An estimated 16% of expected cancer diagnoses were missed.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread disruptions in healthcare systems globally. This included the postponement or cancellation of routine screenings and diagnostic procedures, which could have a significant impact on early cancer detection and treatment outcomes. The data from these seven countries highlights the potential long-term consequences of these disruptions on cancer care.