Pandemic disruptions to health care worsened cancer survival, study suggests

Associated Press (AP)EN 3 min read 100% complete by By MIKE STOBBEFebruary 5, 2026 at 06:53 PM

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A federally funded study published in JAMA Oncology found that cancer patients diagnosed during 2020 and 2021 had worse short-term survival rates compared to those diagnosed between 2015 and 2019. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Kentucky, accounted for COVID-19 deaths to isolate other contributing factors. While the exact causes remain unclear, researchers suggest disruptions to healthcare systems, including postponed screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies, likely played a significant role. The findings highlight the pandemic's impact on cancer care, even as overall cancer death rates continued to decline. Experts emphasize the importance of understanding these effects to better prepare for future health crises.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Los Angeles 30% United States 50% North American Association of Central Cancer Registries 50% Recinda Sherman ×260% University of Kentucky 60% JAMA Oncology 70% Todd Burus ×380% COVID-19 pandemic ×690%

Keywords

cancer survival 90% covid-19 pandemic 80% healthcare disruptions 70% short-term survival 60% cancer diagnosis 60% cancer treatment 60% cancer screenings 50% death rates 40%