Abstract 65: Early Assessment of the Pandemic Effects on Cancer Screening Services: The International Cancer Screening Network COVID-19 Survey

Purpose: Screening, when effectively implemented, can decrease the burden of breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancers. As COVID-19 became a pandemic in March 2020, cancer screening practitioners globally reported the suspension of cancer screening and diagnostic as part of the emergency response. The International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN) implemented a survey to capture the details and consequences of decisions to suspend cancer screening services and understand the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening. Methods: A 33-question survey was sent out to 882 email addresses to gather general information about the settings and assess the decision-making process that led to cancer screening suspension (or not). Furthermore, information regarding communication with stakeholders and impact on resources and patient follow-up was collected. Quantitative data have been analyzed as general frequencies overall and by setting, while a comment section under each survey item captured more nuanced information. Results: Responses from the 98 participants that completed the full survey (12%) were categorized into 66 individual settings representing 35 countries. Most settings are organized screening programs (82%, n=54), and suspended cancer screening services (91%, n=60) around March 2020 (68%, n=45), guided by a government decision (77%, n=51). Few settings made their decision about whether to suspend services following a preparedness plan (26%, n=17). Professionals were reassigned (62%, n=41) and infrastructure repurposed (53%, n=35) in most places, and 39% (n=26) saw most follow up visits delayed. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has had important effects on cancer screening services worldwide, including the suspension of cancer screening in most settings. Most cancer screening services were not prepared to deal with the scale of the pandemic but have shown great flexibility in supporting the response. This survey will inform the next steps for assessing the longer-term impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening. Funding statement: Funded by the NCI Contract No. HHSN261200800001E75N910D00024, Task Order No. 75N91019F00129 (D.M.P.P.). Citation Format: Douglas M. Puricelli Perin, K. Miriam Elfstrom, Mireille J. M. Broeders. Early Assessment of the Pandemic Effects on Cancer Screening Services: The International Cancer Screening Network COVID-19 Survey [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 65.