Author: Lindsey Ulrich
“The sooner you get back to your routine screenings, the best chance there is for early detection that can save your life."
The COVID-19 pandemic caused people to take extreme safety precautions such as deferring routine care and visits, but a sharp decline in cancer screenings in the last year may have some troubling impact for early detection and treatment options.
“Universally, there has been about a 20% decline in all cancer screenings in the last year,” said Amit Bhatt, M.D., Ph.D., who specializes in radiation oncology at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Greater Lansing.
Colonoscopies, mammograms, and lung cancer screenings are among the potentially life-saving tests that many people have put off during the pandemic. In fact, a report from the Centers for Disease Control shows 41% of Americans say they’ve delayed or avoided seeking care due to concerns over the virus.
“People are continuing to delay their regular health maintenance visits for fear of getting exposed to COVID-19,” said Dr. Bhatt. “People are trying to avoid hospital settings where people often get their screenings done.”
This has experts worried about the overall impact delayed screenings may cause.
“We are concerned that we are going to see an increase in more advanced cancers in the future,” said Dr. Bhatt.
Dr. Bhatt states we must remember our long-term investment in our health even during challenging times.
“The sooner you get back to your routine screenings, the best chance there is for early detection that can save your life,” said Dr. Bhatt.
Ways to take the next step:
- Find a primary care physician accepting new patients to discuss determining which screenings you should schedule now by clicking here.
- Learn more about lung cancer screenings by clicking here.
- Click here for information on how to schedule a mammogram at McLaren’s Breast Care Center.
McLaren Greater Lansing continues to go above and beyond to ensure patients, visitors, and staff are safe. To learn more about the safety measures and protocols in place, visit safe care.