The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium are teaming up with other leading cancer organizations across the country to endorse the resumption of cancer screening and treatment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® and the American Cancer Society are among the coalition of 76 organizations that has released an open letter reminding the public that cancer still poses a major threat to people’s health, but acting as soon as is safely possible can lead to much better outcomes in the future.
The letter examines distressing trends showing a significant drop-off in recommended cancer screening and treatment compared to previous years. This concerning side-effect of the pandemic could lead to a staggering number of preventable cancer deaths over the next 10 years and beyond. Oncology experts agree that people should not delay any necessary prevention or care.
Here in Hawaiʻi, experts have seen a reduction in mammographic screening during the pandemic, though mammography rates have started to recover. However, a significant reduction in colonoscopic screening for colorectal cancer persists.
“The reduction in cancer screening is particularly important for our Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations as this group is already affected by worse outcomes for colon, breast and other cancers,” said Randall F. Holcombe, director of the UH Cancer Center.
“When cancer is caught earlier, it is typically easier to treat because there are more options available,” said Robert W. Carlson of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. “When the pandemic first hit the United States, a short delay in care was an appropriate choice for many cancer types. However, the balance of risk has shifted significantly. We now have two impressive vaccines that are being distributed around the world. We also know much more about how to treat and prevent COVID-19. Cancer centers are taking multiple measures to protect patients and staff from COVID-19 and transmission within cancer centers is quite unusual. Meanwhile, far too many cancers are being left to grow unchecked. Postponing cancer care will add tragedy on top of tragedy.”
Researchers around the world have made tremendous strides in controlling cancer in recent years, with a reduction in overall cancer incidence and mortality. Part of these gains have been due to cancer screening and detecting cancers earlier, when they are easier to treat. The UH Cancer Center, the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium members and leading oncology experts across the country are now advising everyone, in coordination and consultation with their primary care or other health care provider, to resume cancer screening activities and to contact their doctor right away about any new symptoms or concerns.
Read the entire letter. For general guidance and information about cancer, visit UHCancerCenter.org or NCCN.org or Cancer.org.
This effort is an example of UH Mānoa’s goal of Excellence in Research: Advancing the Research and Creative Work Enterprise (PDF), one of four goals identified in the 2015–25 Strategic Plan (PDF), updated in December 2020.
