A recent study led by UCL and University Hospital of Basel researchers has shed light on the concerning repercussions of delayed melanoma diagnoses during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The study suggests that the delays in diagnosing melanoma may have led to over 100,000 years of life lost across Europe and incurred costs exceeding £6 billion, primarily due to indirect factors such as loss of productivity.
The research, published in JAMA Network Open, underscores the critical importance of early detection in cancer care and emphasizes the need to consider unintended consequences in future pandemic planning. The study’s co-lead author, Dr. Kaustubh Adhikari, highlighted the adverse impact of canceled screenings and delayed medical treatments during the lockdowns, leading to the progression of melanoma to advanced stages in many patients.
The researchers, comprising a team from various countries including the UK, Switzerland, Germany, US, Italy, Australia, and Hungary, focused on evaluating the health economic consequences of delayed melanoma diagnoses. They estimated that approximately 17% of melanoma patients experienced progression to a higher cancer stage in 2020-2021 due to delays in diagnosis or treatment of two to three months or longer.
The study revealed that these delays resulted in 111,464 years of life lost across 31 European countries and incurred a total economic cost of £6.1 billion. The majority of these costs (94.5%) were attributable to indirect costs, such as loss of productivity. Dr. Elisabeth Roider, a co-lead author of the study, emphasized the need for prioritizing preventative healthcare, especially during crisis situations like a pandemic, and highlighted the importance of holistic planning to mitigate unintended health consequences.
The findings underscore the critical need for timely evaluation and treatment for individuals at risk of melanoma and stress the significance of maintaining screening programs as a healthcare system priority. While acknowledging the life-saving impact of lockdown measures in controlling the spread of COVID-19, the study calls for a balanced approach that considers and addresses the broader health implications of such disruptions in healthcare services.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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