impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of cutaneous malignancies in Australia

Abstract

Introduction: The Australian healthcare system, including its management of cutaneous malignancies, has faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to quantify the impact of the first wave of the pandemic on the diagnosis and management of cutaneous malignancies in Australia. Methods: Monthly service data was extracted from the Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule database for all cutaneous biopsies, non-melanotic skin cancer (NMSC) excisions and melanoma excisions performed between January 2017 and December 2019. Holt-Winters exponential smoothing forecasting models were developed for total biopsies, NMSC excisions and melanoma excisions. These models were used to predict monthly data between January 2020 and June 2020 with a 95 per cent confidence interval (p < 0.05). Absolute and percentage residual differences (RDs) between actual and predicted excisions for this time period were calculated. Results: There were statistically significant reductions in total NMSC excisions in March 2020 (RD: −6,943, −13.0%), April 2020 (RD: −8,954, −12.2%), May 2020 (RD: −17,667, −20.9%) and June 2020 (RD: −5,152, −6.9%). There were statistically significant reductions in melanoma excisions in April 2020 (RD: –695, –11.1%), May 2020 (RD: −1,982, –28.7%) and June 2020 (RD: –973, –16.0%). Conclusions: There was a significant reduction in skin cancer excisions in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This observed reduction in skin cancer surgery has significant public health implications, highlighting the need for improved surveillance, diagnosis and treatment capacity of cutaneous malignancies during the recovery phase of the pandemic.