Why You Have To Take A More Aggressive Stance On Cancer
There is emerging evidence, and research is ongoing, but it's beginning to appear that COVID-19 led to an uptick in severe cancer diagnoses.
What's Known and Easy to Find?
After the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world dealt with more than a highly contagious virus. Continuing research began to uncover the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2, and as they did, researchers became more alarmed. There was an apparent rise in cancer diagnoses. Worse yet, the results of the pandemic interrupted the healthcare systems, screenings, and earlier treatments available.
An immediate and felt effect of the pandemic on cancer outcomes comes from the interruption of routine medical care. Everyone likely remembers that in 2020 and 2021, patients avoided hospitals and care centers began deferring some less important services. As a consequence, cancer screenings, including colonoscopies, Pap smears, mammograms, and prostate exams, were delayed.
A study in JAMA Oncology estimates that thousands of excess cancer deaths could occur in the coming ten years. A large uptick in late-stage cancer diagnoses is potentially attributable to millions of missed screenings in the U.S.
COVID-19 had an Impact on the Immune System
If you look past the delays in screenings and care, research is beginning to look at whether the virus has a more direct biological link to cancer. There are studies suggesting that the virus may contribute to oncogenesis, the biological process of a healthy cell becoming cancerous, through the chronic inflammation common during COVID, the immune system becoming unregulated, and long-term damage to tissue.
Researchers are associating COVID-19 with prolonged immune suppression, and that may have allowed abnormal cells to evade the immune system and grow. COVID was able to cause persistent tissue damage in organs, such as the lungs, the liver, and a person's gastrointestinal tract, potentially causing an increase in the risk of cancer in those regions over time.
How This Affects Cancer Patients
Patients who were already diagnosed with cancer were in the category of most vulnerable. They likely suffered more instances of severe complications due to having a compromised immune system from drug therapies or the cancer. Mortality rates increased among cancer patients during the pandemic, but the patients also suffered from complications with their treatment plans. The cancellation of surgeries or chemotherapy sessions was unfortunately guilty of having long-term consequences on the cancer prognosis.
Going Forward
Healthcare systems are responding to the challenges ahead by focusing on the restoration of screening programs and aggressively using telemedicine to work with patients more effectively. Through the National Cancer Institute and other organizations, funding is being given to researchers trying to understand how the pandemic virus may affect cancer risks.
Takeaways
COVID-19 caused the first pandemic of the modern era, and as such, there is a lot we're going to continue learning for the foreseeable future. How did the virus affect our bodies in the face of cancer? With the inflammation and effects on our immune systems, it's easy to understand how the virus would affect our ability to fight against cancer.
The reality may be more complicated, as we're still learning how the societal changes utilized to help combat the pandemic affected our lives. For many, the lockdowns, job loss, and endangered mental health were a part of the toughest parts of their lives. For others, the fight may have only just begun.
The delays in simple things, like seeing your doctor and getting a physical, or a cancer screening, may still come back to haunt people. It's clear that more people are being diagnosed with later-stage cancer, and when we look back, there might have been signs much sooner than we realized.
Don't wait! Get checked. Particularly if it's in your family or you are over 40.
References:
JAMA Network, COVID-19 and Rates of Cancer Diagnosis in the U.S., September 6, 2024
About the Creator
Jason Ray Morton
Writing has become more important as I live with cancer. It's a therapy, it's an escape, and it's a way to do something lasting that hopefully leaves an impression.
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Comments (11)
Congratulations on TS
The pandemic's impact on cancer is eye-opening. Delayed screenings are a big deal. I know someone who had their mammogram postponed, and it turned out they had cancer that could've been caught earlier. We need to figure out how to get back on track with regular check-ups. How can we ensure people don't avoid medical care out of fear? Also, the idea that the virus might directly cause cancer is concerning. If that's true, what more can be done to study this link? Maybe we can develop better ways to protect those at higher risk. It's crucial we understand all these factors to improve cancer outcomes post-pandemic.
Cancer: The Scariest Disease in Humans – How to Stay Safe Cancer is a word that can shake anyone to their core. It’s not just a disease; it’s a life-changing storm that affects millions of people every year, regardless of age, gender, or background. The reason cancer is so frightening is because it can sneak up without obvious warning signs and take a serious toll on both the body and the mind. But while cancer can feel like a terrifying mystery, there are real, practical steps you can take to lower your risk and protect your health.
Helpful
Wonderful article....amazing how quickly our worlds can change. Congrats on top story and I think of you often
My health forever changed during the pandemic. My spleen was removed and I am forever immunocompromised. Well written, Jason, and a good reminder about the importance of being proactive in one's health. Congratulations on your top story!!!
COVID-19 disrupted cancer care and may have increased cancer risk, making early detection and proactive screening more crucial than ever.
Whether it was the vaccine or having Covid. it messed up a lot of people's health. including my own. Unfortunately, we are in the doghouse on this. I hope you are well.
The pandemic really messed up cancer screenings. I remember when people were avoiding hospitals. It's scary to think thousands of excess cancer deaths could happen in the next ten years. And the idea that the virus might directly cause cancer through immune issues and tissue damage? That's some concerning research. How do you think we can better prevent these missed screenings in the future?
Helpful insights & counsel here, Jason. Thank you for sharing this.
This is informative and since Covid affected my organs and i had major surgery, almost died I am still suffering pain and unable to walk my 8 miles/ I cannot walk long distance at all. I have good healthcare at 75 years old. When I and millions of other folks lose their benefits and healthcare there will be millions of deaths because the GOP just passed the UGLY BILL to cut everything giving it all to the wealthy. I worked all of my life. Unfortunately, I a, not from a wealthy family so, i am an ant that they squash. it will not matter if anyone has cancer or not because there is a mass genocide planned by the GOP