Pandemic disruptions to health care worsened cancer survival, study suggests

Published: Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 4:55 pm

Pandemic's Impact on Cancer Survival Confirmed by New Study

NEW YORK – A new study published in the medical journal JAMA Oncology reveals that disruptions to healthcare during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the short-term survival rates of cancer patients. The federally funded research, considered the first of its kind, examined the effects of pandemic-related disruptions on cancer patients' survival.

Researchers found that individuals diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and 2021 experienced worse short-term survival compared to those diagnosed between 2015 and 2019. This trend was observed across various cancer types, regardless of the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed. While the study acknowledges that COVID-19 itself posed a significant threat to cancer patients, researchers worked to isolate the impact of other factors.

The study's lead author, Todd Burus of the University of Kentucky, suggests that disruptions to the healthcare system were a key contributor to the decline in survival rates. The pandemic led to the postponement of crucial cancer screenings, such as colonoscopies, mammograms, and lung scans, as hospitals and doctors grappled with the coronavirus.

Despite this concerning finding, it's important to note that overall cancer death rates in the U.S. continued to decline throughout the pandemic. This suggests that the long-term impact of the disruptions may be less severe. Further research is needed to determine the lasting effects of these changes. The study utilized national cancer registry data, focusing on patients diagnosed with malignant cancer in 2020 and 2021. Over one million people were diagnosed with cancer during this period, with approximately 144,000 deaths within one year. The study found lower one-year survival rates for both early- and late-stage diagnoses across all cancer sites. Significant differences were observed in colorectal, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

BNN's Perspective: This study underscores the critical importance of maintaining access to essential healthcare services, even during times of crisis. While the pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, the findings highlight the need for proactive measures to ensure that cancer screenings and treatments are not delayed. It is crucial to learn from this experience and develop strategies to mitigate the impact of future public health emergencies on vulnerable populations.

Keywords: cancer, COVID-19, pandemic, survival rates, healthcare, diagnosis, treatment, JAMA Oncology, screenings, mortality, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, health, medical research

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