The impact of the COVID pandemic on cancer diagnosis in general practice in The Netherlands

Matthew Grant, Carla H. van Gils, Nicole van Erp, Kristel M. van Asselt, Daan Brandenbarg, Jean W. M. Muris, NJ de Wit, CW Helsper

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractAcademic

Abstract

In the Netherlands, the onset of the COVID pandemic saw shifts in primary health service provision away from physical consultations, cancer-screening programs were temporarily halted, and government messaging advised to limit all contact.
Emerging evidence describes that many people avoided or postponed accessing health care during the start of the pandemic . For conditions such as cancer, this can have drastic consequences, leading to later stage of diagnosis with worse prognosis, more invasive treatments, and poorer patient experience.
Cancer diagnoses were markedly reduced in this period to 73% of their pre-COVID levels. The majority of cancer diagnoses occur through patients presenting to primary care and subsequent referral to specialists.
This study aims to measure the effect of the COVID pandemic on the primary care cancer diagnostic pathway in The Netherlands, and compare to pre-COVID diagnostic intervals.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2022
EventWONCA - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 28 Jun 20221 Jul 2022

Conference

ConferenceWONCA
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
Period28/06/221/07/22

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