COVID-19 and cancer screening in Scotland: A national and coordinated approach to minimising harm.

ABSTRACT: Screening is an important component of cancer control internationally. In Scotland, the National Health Service Scotland provides screening programmes for cervical, bowel and breast cancers. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the suspension of these programmes in March 2020. We describe the integrated approach to managing the impact of the pandemic on cancer screening programmes in Scotland throughout 2020. We outline the policy context and decision-making process leading to suspension, and the criteria and framework informing the subsequent, staggered, restart in subsequent months. The decision to suspend screening services in order to protect screening invitees and staff, and manage NHS capacity, was made after review of numbers of screening participants likely to be affected, and the pot

SUBMITTER: Campbell C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8241681 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature