US Sees Rise in Advanced Breast and Pancreatic Cancer Cases Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Los Angeles, Sept. 25 – A recent study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, reveals a concerning trend in the United States. The country has witnessed an increase in people diagnosed with advanced breast and pancreatic cancer since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The study compared incidence rates in 2021 to those before the pandemic, utilizing data from the institute’s Cancer Incidence Monitoring System (SEER). This analysis aimed to determine whether the numbers of missing diagnoses have been detected since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Researchers found that overall cancer incidence rates and more specific cancers were similar to pre-pandemic levels, with no significant rebound to offset the decline in 2020. However, the study did reveal an increase in the number of newly diagnosed metastatic breast and pancreatic cancers in the United States in 2021.

The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring to understand the long-term impact of the pandemic on cancer diagnosis and outcomes. This trend emphasizes the importance of timely cancer diagnosis and treatment to prevent advanced stages of the disease.