10,000 EXTRA CANCER DEATHS DUE TO COVID
10,000 EXTRA CANCER DEATHS DUE TO COVID
Check out this scary article from Healio regarding projections from the National Cancer Institute showing that “the COVID-19 pandemic will result in nearly 10,000 additional deaths due to breast cancer and colorectal cancer over the next decade.”
“This number — which represents a 1% increase in excess deaths due to these tumor types — is based on a “pretty conservative” modeling analysis, NCI Director Norman E. “Ned” Sharpless, MD.”
Healio: COVID-19 may lead to 10,000 excess deaths due to breast, colorectal cancers
“Our analysis assumes only a moderate disruption in screening and care that completely resolves after 6 months,” Sharpless said. “If the pandemic disrupts routine care to a greater degree or for a longer period, the effect on cancer mortality could be even worse.”
Simulation modeling was used “to assess the effects of cancer prevention, screening and treatment interventions on incidence and mortality — highlights the potential impact of delayed diagnosis, deferred care, and use of reduced or nonstandard cancer care during the pandemic.”
“We did not consider cancers other than those of the breast and colon, but there is every reason to believe the pandemic will affect other types of cancer,” Sharpless said. “We did not account for additional cancer morbidity from upstaging, but this also could be significant.”
Upstaging refers to advancement and spread of cancers due to treatment delays. For example, what might have been a stage 1 cancer easily curable by surgery may progress to a stage 4 incurable metastatic cancer during the time delays to be diagnosis and start of appropriate treatment.
Despite entering the 7th month of the pandemic awareness in Illinois, Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health is not suffering from “pandemic fatigue”. Our standards for caution remain on full alert with COVID-19 swab testing for all patients prior to all elective procedures, routine staff screening and optimal personal protective equipment, adherence to physical distancing measures, and meticulous disinfection (we are a gastroenterology office and have always excelled on this front!). We also continue to offer televisit options for all providers and COVID-19 antibody testing for all patients.
Don’t delay your health care! Feel safe at our small office-based suite for whatever need you may have: endoscopy/colonoscopy, gastrointestinal consultations, dietitian counseling, or our comprehensive weight management program. Call 224.407.4400 or visit compgihealth.com for additional information!