The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer incidence and cancer care in patients with prostate cancer in the Siberian Federal District

Abstract

Background. Prostate cancer incidence rates continue to increase every year, therefore, the study of the quality indicators for cancer care, especially during a pandemic, is of great importance.Aim. To analyze prostate cancer incidence rates and quality indicators of cancer care in the Siberian Federal District.Materials and methods. For the calculation of cancer incidence rates, population-bases cancer registry data were used. Quality indicators were calculated according to the methodological recommendations of P.A. Hertzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute – branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Center.Results. The implementation of restrictive measures and the suspension of cancer screening programs in 2020 negatively affected the cancer care. The prostate cancer incidence rate decreased from 52.8 per 100 000 population in 2019 to 43.1 per 100 000 population in 2020, especially in the territories of the Republic of Tyva and the Omsk Region. Morphological verification in 2020 decreased compared to 2019 (97.0 % versus 97.8 %), with the exception of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Altai. Early prostate cancer detection increased from 62.9 to 64.0 %, and cancer detection at late stages decreased from 36.3 to 35.0 %. One-year mortality in the region decreased from 8.0 % (2019) to 7,3 % (2020), however, it increased significantly in the Republic of Tyva (from 3.2 to 40.0 %) and the Altai Republic (from 3.7 to 10.7 %). The number of patients who have been followed-up for 5 years or more increased from 40.7 to 42.3 %, except for Republic of Altai (from 32.8 to 25.0 %).Conclusion. Delay in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is associated with advanced stage, poor survival and high cost treatment.