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Why cancer screenings are so urgent
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. in March, it triggered a serious unintended health consequence: a drastic drop in cancer screenings. It happened as a result of postponed or cancelled appointments to conserve healthcare resources and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. In March and April, the weekly number of screenings for six common types of cancer combined plummeted by 46%. Screenings bounced back to some extent as restrictions eased and safety protocols were implemented. But those who delay getting cancer screenings—particularly those in high-risk groups—could inadvertently do themselves serious harm, as cancer detected early may be easier to treat.
Cancer in the U.S.
46%
Cancer screenings for 6 common types of cancer combined are down by almost half in March and April 2020 compared to January and February 2019
2
Cancer is the second most common cause of death
39.5%
Of Americans can expect to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes
606,520
Americans expected to die of cancer in 2020
16.9 million
Estimated number of cancer survivors in the U.S. as of January 2019
AT-RISK POPULATIONS
Routine cancer screening plays an important role in the detection and treatment of cancer. Early detection is important because when cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat.
The lack of access to cancer screenings is most likely to affect those who are at higher risk of developing cancer, namely aging adults and, for certain types of cancer, Black Americans also are at a greater risk. Getting older is the number one risk factor for developing cancer.
80%
Of cancers are diagnosed in people 55 years of age and up
25%
Of new cancer diagnoses are in people ages 65 to 74
Being a Black American is a risk factor as well, as Blacks have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers. Contributing factors include:
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Socioeconomic inequalities
Lack of access to health care
Substandard health care
Disproportionate burden of other diseases that may affect cancer prognosis
Cancer incidence per 100,000 in the U.S.
Cancer death rate per 100,000 in the U.S.
“The earlier we detect cancer, the more likely we are to see better outcomes with treatment. Cancer screenings and follow-up appointments play a critical role in the timely detection and intervention against this often-deadly disease. That’s why it’s so important for people—particularly those who are cancer survivors or at higher risk— to speak with their doctors about keeping their regular screening procedures and appointments despite COVID-19.”
– Dany Habr, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer Oncology
THREE KEY CANCERS TO KNOW
BREAST, COLORECTAL AND PROSTATE
01. Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in the U.S.
(excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers)
276,480
Estimated new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2020, and about 2,620 in men
42,170
Women and 520 men are estimated to die from breast cancer in 2020
30%
Of patients who previously received treatment for breast cancer have a recurrence
Screening mammography can detect breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is likely to be less invasive and may be more successful. Those who have had breast cancer should know that it can recur months or years after their initial treatment.
02. Colorectal Cancer
COLORECTAL CANCER IS THE THIRD MOST COMMON CANCER IN BOTH WOMEN AND MEN IN THE U.S.
(excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers)
147,950
Cases estimated to be diagnosed in 2020
Men > Women
The disease is more common among men than among women
Black > other groups
The disease is more common among Blacks than in other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S.
Colorectal cancer is a combined category that includes colon cancer and rectal cancer. It has an overall recurrence rate of 17% “after curative surgical resection with microscopically clear margins.” There are various screening tests, including colonoscopy and virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography), that can help detect polyps.
53,200 Americans estimated to die from colorectal cancer in 2020
03. Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the U.S.
(excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers)
191,930
Cases of prostate cancer that are estimated to be diagnosed in 2020
33,330
Men may die of the disease in 2020
the chance that prostate cancer treated with prostatectomy will recur in 10 years is:
24%
For patients who had low-risk prostate cancer
40%
For patients who had intermediate-risk prostate cancer
48%
For patients who had high-risk prostate cancer
Prostate cancer can be detected early with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, but it is not recommended for routine use in men at average risk for prostate cancer.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men discuss
having the test with their doctor:
At age 50
If they are at average risk of prostate cancer
At age 45
If they are Black and/or have a first-degree relative (father or brother) who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (before age 65)
At age 40
If they have more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age
5-year relative survival rates
The 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers diagnosed between 2009 and 2015 is 70% among whites and 64% among Blacks.
The National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program classifies cancers using two staging methods, one of which is called summary staging. This method classifies solid tumor cancers into five SEER stages—in situ, localized, regionalized, distant and unknown—based on the extent to which the cancer has spread. Using this staging system, the SEER database tracks 5-year relative survival rates for a particular cancer. As the data below shows, when a cancer is diagnosed early, or at a localized stage, the survival rate is typically higher than when it is diagnosed at a regional stage, and much higher than when it is diagnosed at a distant, or metastasized, stage.
Breast Cancer
The 5-year relative survival rate for all breast cancers is 90%, meaning 90 percent of patients will be alive five years after their breast cancer diagnosis. But broken down by SEER stage, the rates look very different. The 5-year survival rate is:
99% for localized
breast cancer
86% for regional
breast cancer
27% for distant
breast cancer
5-year relative survival rates
Colorectal cancer
The 5-year relative survival rate for those diagnosed with colorectal cancers between 2009 and 2015 is 64%. Broken down by SEER stage, that rate is:
90% for localized
colorectal cancer
71% for regional
colorectal cancer
14% for distant
colorectal cancer
The death rate due to colorectal cancer is 47% higher for Black men than white men, and 34% higher for Black women than white women.
% of death rates DUE TO COLORECTAL CANCER
% of death rates DUE TO COLORECTAL CANCER
prostate Cancer
The 5-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer is 98%, but 96% for Black men. Broken down by SEER stage, the 5-year survival rate is:
Nearly 100% for localized and
regional prostate cancer
31% for distant prostate cancer
get your cancer screening
Don’t let the COVID-19 pandemic stop you from getting a routine cancer screening like a mammogram, a prostate exam, and/or a colonoscopy. Particularly if you are at higher risk for the disease. A delayed diagnosis can have serious consequences.
Healthcare facilities are committed to providing safe environments for cancer screenings throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the precautions that many screening centers are taking are:
♦ Social distancing practice and enforcement
♦ Verbally screening for COVID-19 symptoms
♦ No-touch temperature checks at entrance
♦ Mandatory use of appropriate masks
♦ COVID-19 nasal swab testing at some locations
Call your doctor to see which of the following precautions are being taken at your screening site. And beyond what your healthcare provider is doing to ensure your safety, be sure to check and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and your local officials.
Go to GetCancerScreened.com for more information about potentially life-saving cancer screenings.