Short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a population-based screening program for colorectal cancer in Catalonia (Spain).

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic caused the suspension at all levels of the Catalan FIT-based CRC screening program on March 12, 2020. Screening invitations to FIT were resumed on September 1, 2020. We aimed to assess the short-term impact of the pandemic and describe strategies implemented to minimize harm by the disruption of the FIT-based CRC screening in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. We analyzed participation rate, colonoscopy adherence, time intervals to colonoscopy, detection rates, and advanced-stage cancers in 2019 and 2020. To identify perceived distress levels during the suspension of the screening we conducted a phone interview. As a result of the suspension, 43% of the individuals due for screening did not receive their invitation by December 31, 2020. A percent decrease of 5.1% in

SUBMITTER: Vives N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8730718 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature