Changes in cancer incidence and stage during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021 in the Nordic countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted substantially on cancer healthcare, including the temporary suspension of screening activities. We compared cancer incidence rates and stage during 2020-2021 to pre-pandemic rates in the Nordic countries.

Material and methods

Using data from the national cancer registries in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, we estimated age-, sex-, and period-adjusted incidence rate ratios, expressed as relative percentage change (%) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), comparing rates in 2020-2021 to those in 2017-2019 (pre-pandemic).

Results

In 2020-2021, 340,675 cancer cases were diagnosed. The incidence rates declined during the first pandemic wave (Q2 2020), ranging from -21.7% [95% CI: -23.3%; -20.2%] (Sweden) t

SUBMITTER: Johansson A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11833327 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature