Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cervical Cancer Screening in Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The early identification of precursor lesions followed by appropriate treatment prevents development of cervical cancer and its consequences.

Objective

The present study evaluated the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on cervical cancer screening by comparing the quantity of tests to detect cervical cellular changes performed in São Paulo state in 2019, prior to the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil, to the first (2020) and second (2021) years following its appearance.

Materials and methods

Data from Fundação Oncocentro de São Paulo (FOSP), the agency that analyses approximately 220,000 Papanicolaou (Pap) tests annually, were reviewed.

Results

A median of 1,835 Pap tests were performed in 55 municipalities in 2019. This was reduced to 815 tests in

SUBMITTER: Martins TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10025367 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature