ASPO Abstracts
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Screening Delays
Category: Early Detection & Risk Prediction
Conference Year: 2022
Abstract Body:
Purpose of the study: To examine cancer screening delays during the COVID-19 pandemic among Ohio residents.Methods: Participants from previous studies(N=32,989) with permission to be re-contacted were invited to complete a survey online, by phone, or by mail between June and November 2020. Participants who responded(n=7636) were asked if they planned to have and then if they postponed a planned mammogram, Pap test, HPV test, stool blood test, or colonoscopy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with cancer screening delays for each planned test.Results: The mean age was 59 years, 73% were female, 89% were non-Hispanic White, 56% had a college degree or higher, and 14% had public insurance. Those who planned tests(n=4473, 59%) were younger, more likely to be female, had higher education, had private insurance, and lived in rural areas, vs. those who did not plan. Among those who planned tests, 25% delayed a mammogram(n=807/3274), 27% delayed a Pap test(n=495/1848), 27% delayed an HPV test(n=59/220), 11% delayed a stool blood test(n=45/415), and 36% delayed a colonoscopy(n=323/901). Younger individuals were less likely to delay a mammogram, Pap test, HPV test, or stool blood test(ORs=0.74, 0.89, 0.64, 0.83, respectively; p<0.05). Compared to non-Hispanic White women, non-Hispanic Black women were less likely to delay a mammogram(OR=0.63, p<0.05); Hispanic women were more likely to delay a mammogram or a Pap test(ORs=1.80 and 2.60; p<0.05). Those with some college/college/graduate education were more likely to delay a mammogram(ORs=1.53, 1.47, 1.68, respectively; p<0.01); those with some college education were more likely to delay a Pap test(OR=1.63, p<0.05); those with a graduate degree were more likely to delay a colonoscopy(OR=2.28, p<0.05) vs. those with a high school degree or less. Women with private or public+private insurance were less likely to delay a Pap test vs. women without insurance(ORs=0.36 and 0.44, respectively; p<0.05).Conclusions: Delayed cancer screening may worsen preexisting disparities in cancer care and outcomes. Healthcare providers should address cancer screening delays in those most likely to delay (e.g. Hispanic women), by reminding patients that it is safe to schedule cancer screenings.
Keywords: Cancer screening delays, COVID-19 pandemic