The number of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases diagnosed fell dramatically by 40% 
in a year during the COVID-19 pandemic, new research presented today at UEG 
Week Virtual 2021 has shown. 

The research, which was conducted across multiple hospitals in Spain, compared 
data from the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic with data from the previous 
year. Of 1,385 cases of CRC diagnosed over the two-year period, almost two 
thirds (868 cases, 62.7%) were diagnosed in the pre-pandemic year from 24,860 
colonoscopies. By contrast, only 517 cases (37.3%) were diagnosed during the 
pandemic, which also saw a 27% drop in the number of colonoscopies performed, 
to 17,337.

Those who were diagnosed with CRC between 15 March 2020 and 28 February 2021 
were also older than in the pre-pandemic year, had more frequent symptoms, a 
greater number of complications and presented at a more advanced disease stage.
 
Experts say the fall is a consequence of the suspension of screening programmes 
and the postponement of non-urgent colonoscopy investigations during the 
pandemic. Fewer cancers were identified by CRC screening in the pandemic 
period, with just 22 (4.3%) cases found in comparison to 182 (21%) in the 
pre-pandemic year. During the pandemic, more patients were diagnosed through 
symptoms (81.2% of diagnoses) compared with the pre-pandemic year (69%). 

Dr María Jose Domper Arnal, from the Service of Digestive Diseases, University 
Clinic Hospital and the Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon) in 
Zaragoza, Spain, and lead author of the study, commented "These are very 
worrying findings indeed – cases of colorectal cancer undoubtedly went 
undiagnosed during the pandemic. Not only were there fewer diagnoses, but those 
diagnosed tended to be at a later stage and suffering from more serious 
symptoms."

There was a significant increase in the number of patients being diagnosed with 
serious complications – a sign of late-stage disease – with an increase in 
symptoms such as bowel perforation, abscesses, bowel obstruction and bleeding 
requiring hospital admission.

"Colorectal cancer is often curable if it's caught at an early stage. Our 
concern is that we're losing the opportunity to diagnose patients at this early 
stage, and this will have a knock-on effect on patient outcomes and survival. 
We are likely to see this fall out for years to come."

For further information, references or to request an expert interview, contact 
media@ueg.eu

Source: UEG Week