A recent study published in Cancer highlights that hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic have severely disrupted colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings in Puerto Rico, resulting in an increase in late-stage diagnoses.

Analyzing data from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry, the study focused on first-time CRC diagnoses from 2012 to 2021, identifying a total of 18,537 cases.

During the pandemic, hospitals reduced staff due to lower patient volumes and financial strains, while many individuals delayed seeking medical care out of fear of infection and changes in healthcare access.

The research indicated a significant decline in CRC diagnoses immediately following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, with an 8.3 case drop, representing a 17.5% decrease during the month of the hurricanes.

The study revealed that colon cancer diagnoses were three times lower during the pandemic, leading to thousands of missed cases, with a notable decline in April 2020 when only 50 cases were diagnosed compared to an expected 162.5.

Senior author Karen J. Ortiz-Ortiz emphasized the urgent need for policies to strengthen healthcare systems in Puerto Rico and similar regions to enhance cancer care coordination and reduce health disparities.

Early detection of colon cancer significantly improves survival rates, with a five-year survival rate of around 90% for early-stage diagnoses, which drops to about 60% for advanced stages, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis.

The findings from this Puerto Rico study aim to contribute to the development of strategies for more resilient healthcare systems capable of withstanding pandemics and natural disasters.

Researchers hope that this study will initiate discussions on long-term solutions to improve cancer care coordination and reduce disparities in healthcare access.

By the end of the study, early-stage CRC diagnoses remained below expected levels, while late-stage diagnoses exceeded expectations, indicating significant delays in access to care during these crises.

The rising rates of colon cancer among young adults aged 15 to 34 have prompted healthcare professionals to call for increased awareness and improved diagnostic strategies.

The authors of the study stressed the importance of developing resilient healthcare strategies that can maintain access to essential care during crises, promoting longer and healthier lives.