Partha Basu1, Samar Alhomoud2, Katayoun Taghavi3,4, Andre L Carvalho1, Eric Lucas1, Iacopo Baussano1. 1. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. 2. Section Colorectal Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 3. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. 4. The Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB) of the University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The coronavirus-induced pandemic has put great pressure on health systems worldwide. Nonemergency health services, such as cancer screening, have been scaled down or withheld as a result of travel restrictions and resources being redirected to manage the pandemic. The present article discusses the challenges to cancer screening implementation in the pandemic environment, suggesting ways to optimize services for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. METHODS: The manuscript was drafted by a team of public health specialists with expertise in implementation and monitoring of cancer screening. A scoping review of literature revealed the lack of comprehensive guidance on continuation of cancer screening in the midst of waxing and waning of infection. The recommendations in the present article were based on the advisories issued by different health agencies and professional bodies and the authors' understanding of the best practices to maintain quality-assured cancer screening. RESULTS: A well-coordinated approach is required to ensure that essential health services such as cancer management are maintained and elective services are not threatened, especially because of resource constraints. In the context of cancer screening, a few changes in invitation strategies, screening and management protocols and program governance need to be considered to fit into the new normal situation. Restoring public trust in providing efficient and safe services should be one of the key mandates for screening program reorganization. This may be a good opportunity to introduce innovations (eg, telehealth) and consider de-implementing non-evidence-based practices. It is necessary to consider increased spending on primary health care and incorporating screening services in basic health package. CONCLUSION: The article provides guidance on reorganization of screening policies, governance, implementation, and program monitoring.
PURPOSE: The coronavirus-induced pandemic has put great pressure on health systems worldwide. Nonemergency health services, such as cancer screening, have been scaled down or withheld as a result of travel restrictions and resources being redirected to manage the pandemic. The present article discusses the challenges to cancer screening implementation in the pandemic environment, suggesting ways to optimize services for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. METHODS: The manuscript was drafted by a team of public health specialists with expertise in implementation and monitoring of cancer screening. A scoping review of literature revealed the lack of comprehensive guidance on continuation of cancer screening in the midst of waxing and waning of infection. The recommendations in the present article were based on the advisories issued by different health agencies and professional bodies and the authors' understanding of the best practices to maintain quality-assured cancer screening. RESULTS: A well-coordinated approach is required to ensure that essential health services such as cancer management are maintained and elective services are not threatened, especially because of resource constraints. In the context of cancer screening, a few changes in invitation strategies, screening and management protocols and program governance need to be considered to fit into the new normal situation. Restoring public trust in providing efficient and safe services should be one of the key mandates for screening program reorganization. This may be a good opportunity to introduce innovations (eg, telehealth) and consider de-implementing non-evidence-based practices. It is necessary to consider increased spending on primary health care and incorporating screening services in basic health package. CONCLUSION: The article provides guidance on reorganization of screening policies, governance, implementation, and program monitoring.
Authors: Angelos P Kassianos; Alexandros Georgiou; Maria Kyprianidou; Demetris Lamnisos; Jeļena Ļubenko; Giovambattista Presti; Valeria Squatrito; Marios Constantinou; Christiana Nicolaou; Savvas Papacostas; Gökçen Aydin; Yuen Yu Chong; Wai Tong Chien; Ho Yu Cheng; Francisco J Ruiz; Maria B Garcia-Martin; Diana Obando; Miguel A Segura-Vargas; Vasilis S Vasiliou; Louise McHugh; Stefan Höfer; Adriana Baban; David Dias Neto; Ana Nunes da Silva; Jean-Louis Monestès; Javier Alvarez-Galvez; Marisa Paez Blarrina; Francisco Montesinos; Sonsoles Valdivia Salas; Dorottya Őri; Bartosz Kleszcz; Raimo Lappalainen; Iva Ivanović; David Gosar; Frederick Dionne; Rhonda M Merwin; Andreas Chatzittofis; Evangelia Konstantinou; Sofia Economidou; Andrew T Gloster; Maria Karekla; Anastasia Constantinidou Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2021-12-15 Impact factor: 6.639
Authors: Eliya Farah; Maria El Bizri; Radmila Day; Lavina Matai; Fred Horne; Timothy P Hanna; David Armstrong; Susan Marlin; Olivier Jérôme; Darren R Brenner; Winson Cheung; Laszlo Radvanyi; Eva Villalba; Natalie Leon; Chana Cohen; Karine Chalifour; Ronald Burkes; Sharlene Gill; Scott Berry; Brandon S Sheffield; Pamela Fralick; Barry D Stein Journal: Curr Oncol Date: 2022-03-07 Impact factor: 3.677