The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on cancer diagnosis based on pathology notifications: A comparison across the Nordic countries during 2020
Open accessAbstract
The severity of the COVID‐19 pandemic and subsequent mitigation strategies have varied across the Nordic countries. In a joint Nordic population‐based effort, we compared patterns of new cancer cases and notifications between the Nordic countries during 2020. We used pathology notifications to cancer registries in Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to determine monthly numbers of pathology notifications of malignant and in situ tumours from January to December 2020 compared to 2019 (2017‐2019 for Iceland and the Faroe Islands). We compared new cancer cases per month based on unique individuals with pathology notifications. In April and May 2020, the numbers of new malignant cases declined in all Nordic countries, except the Faroe Islands, compared to previous year(s). The largest reduction was observed in Sweden (May: −31.2%, 95% CI −33.9, −28.3), followed by significant declines in Finland, Denmark and Norway, and a nonsignificant decline in Iceland. In Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland the reporting rates during the second half of 2020 rose to almost the same level as in 2019. However, in Sweden and Finland, the increase did not compensate for the spring decline (annual reduction −6.2% and −3.6%, respectively). Overall, similar patterns were observed for in situ tumours. The COVID‐19 pandemic led to a decline in rates of new cancer cases in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, with the most pronounced reduction in Sweden. Possible explanations include the severity of the pandemic, temporary halting of screening activities and changes in healthcare seeking behaviour.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Several registries have reported that having received relatively fewer pathology reports during earlier months was offset by increased diagnostic activity in later months.
“several registries have reported that, having received relatively fewer pathology reports during earlier months was offset by increased diagnostic activity in later months.[184][185][186]”
From Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. (2024) · cites this paper as [186]
The Results report fewer pathology notifications in April and May 2020 and a later rebound. They say the rebound largely compensated for the earlier deficit in Iceland, but recovery was less pronounced in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The claim overstates how broadly the earlier shortfall was offset. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Maringe, C., Spicer, J. F., Morris, M., Purushotham, A. D., Nolte, E., Sullivan, R. J., Rachet, B., & Aggarwal, A. K. (2020) · The Lancet Oncology · doi:10.1016/s1470-2045(20)30388-0 · Cited by 1,811 · see citing works
Fewer cancer diagnoses during the COVID-19 epidemic in the Netherlands
Dinmohamed, A. G., Visser, O., Verhoeven, R. H. A., Louwman, M. W. J., van Nederveen, F. H., Willems, S. M., Merkx, M. A. W., Lemmens, V. E. P. P., Nagtegaal, I. D., & Siesling, S. (2020) · The Lancet Oncology · doi:10.1016/s1470-2045(20)30265-5 · Cited by 699 · see citing works
Patt, D., Gordan, L., Diaz, M., Okon, T., Grady, L., Harmison, M., Markward, N., Sullivan, M., Peng, J., & Zhou, A. (2020) · JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics · doi:10.1200/cci.20.00134 · Cited by 646 · see citing works
Kaufman, H. W., Chen, Z., Niles, J. K., et al. (2020) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.17267 · Cited by 402 · see citing works
Nordic Cancer Registries – an overview of their procedures and data comparability
Pukkala, ., Engholm, G., Schmidt, L. K. H., et al. (2017) · Acta Oncologica · doi:10.1080/0284186x.2017.1407039 · Cited by 348 · see citing works
Morris, E. J. A., Goldacre, R., Spata, E., Mafham, M. M., Finan, P. J., Shelton, J., Richards, M. A., Spencer, K. L., Emberson, J., Hollings, S., et al. (2021) · The Lancet. Gastroenterology & hepatology · doi:10.1016/s2468-1253(21)00005-4 · Cited by 330 · see citing works
Association of Cancer Screening Deficit in the United States With the COVID-19 Pandemic
Chen, R. C., Haynes, K., Du, S., Barron, J. O., & Katz, A. J. (2021) · JAMA Oncology · doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.0884 · Cited by 317 · see citing works
Cancer Screening Tests and Cancer Diagnoses During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Bakouny, Z., Paciotti, M., Schmidt, A. L., et al. (2021) · JAMA Oncology · doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.7600 · Cited by 271 · see citing works
Peacock, H. M., Tambuyzer, T., Verdoodt, F., Calay, F., Poirel, H. A., Schutter, H. D., Francart, J., Damme, N. V., & Eycken, L. J. V. (2021) · ESMO Open · doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100197 · Cited by 255 · see citing works
Vincentiis, L. D., Carr, R., Mariani, M. P., & Ferrara, G. (2020) · Journal of Clinical Pathology · doi:10.1136/jclinpath-2020-206833 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
Dinmohamed, A. G., Cellamare, M., Visser, O. J., de Munck, L., Elferink, M. A. G., Westenend, P. J., Wesseling, J., Broeders, M. J. M., Kuipers, E. J., Merkx, M. A. W., et al. (2020) · Journal of Hematology & Oncology · doi:10.1186/s13045-020-00984-1 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Gathani, T., Clayton, G., MacInnes, E., & Horgan, K. J. (2020) · British Journal of Cancer · doi:10.1038/s41416-020-01182-z · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Ferrara, G., Vincentiis, L. D., Ambrosini‐Spaltro, A., Barbareschi, M., Bertolini, V., Contato, E., Crivelli, F., Feyles, E., Mariani, M. P., Morelli, L., et al. (2020) · American Journal of Clinical Pathology · doi:10.1093/ajcp/aqaa177 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Ward, Z. J., Walbaum, M., Benjamín Walbaum, G., et al. (2021) · The Lancet Oncology · doi:10.1016/s1470-2045(21)00426-5 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Impact of COVID-19 on cancer diagnosis and management in Slovenia – preliminary results
Zadnik, V., Mihor, A., Tomšič, S., Žagar, T., Bric, N., Lokar, K., & Oblak, I. (2020) · Radiology and Oncology · doi:10.2478/raon-2020-0048 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Coma, E., Guiriguet, C., Mora, N., Marzo‐Castillejo, M., Benítez, M., Méndez-Boo, L., Avilés, F. F., Fàbregas, M., Mercadé, A., & Medina, M. (2021) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047567 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Reduction in skin cancer diagnoses in the UK during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Andrew, T. W., Alrawi, M., & Lovat, P. E. (2020) · Clinical and Experimental Dermatology · doi:10.1111/ced.14411 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Eijkelboom, A. H., de Munck, L., Lobbes, M. B. I., van Gils, C. H., Wesseling, J., Westenend, P. J., Páez, C. G., Pijnappel, R. M., Verkooijen, H. M., Broeders, M. J. M., et al. (2021) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106602 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Toes‐Zoutendijk, E., Vink, G. R., Nagtegaal, I. D., et al. (2021) · European Journal of Cancer · doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2021.11.008 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Solomon, M. D., Nguyen‐Huynh, M. N., Leong, T., et al. (2021) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.2021.8414 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Decreasing access to cancer diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
Maluchnik, M., Podwójcic, K., & Więckowska, B. (2020) · Acta Oncologica · doi:10.1080/0284186x.2020.1837392 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Mode of detection: an independent prognostic factor for women with breast cancer
Hofvind, S. S. H., Holen, Å. S., Román, M., et al. (2015) · Journal of Medical Screening · doi:10.1177/0969141315604006 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Davies, J. M., Spencer, A., Macdonald, S., et al. (2022) · BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology · doi:10.1111/1471-0528.17098 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Kaufman, H. W., Chen, Z., Niles, J. K., et al. (2021) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.25681 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Fallara, G., Sandin, F., Styrke, J., et al. (2021) · Scandinavian Journal of Urology · doi:10.1080/21681805.2021.1910341 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Drop in cancer diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark: assessment of impact during 2020
Skovlund, C. W., Friis, S., Christensen, J., et al. (2022) · Acta Oncologica · doi:10.1080/0284186x.2021.2024879 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Self-citationBorsky, K. L., Shah, K., Cunnick, G. H., & Tsang-Wright, F. J. (2022) · Future Oncology · doi:10.2217/fon-2021-0970 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophagogastric Cancer
Turkington, R. C., Lavery, A., Donnelly, D. W., Cairnduff, V., McManus, D. T., & Coleman, H. G. (2021) · Gastroenterology · doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2021.01.208 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Skin cancers in lockdown: no impact on pathological tumour staging
Gaunt, N., Green, R., Motta, L. F., et al. (2021) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/bjd.20438 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Cancer diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Faroe Islands
Kristiansen, M. F., Petersen, M. S., & Strøm, M. (2021) · Acta Oncologica · doi:10.1080/0284186x.2021.1919755 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationBetydelig nedgang i kreftdiagnostikk under covid-19-pandemien
Larønningen, S., Skog, A., Gulbrandsen, J., et al. (2021) · Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening · doi:10.4045/tidsskr.21.0068 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- [17]COVID‐aim1, Birgisson H, Hilmarsdottir H, Palsson RLT. COVID‐19 and cancer incidence in Iceland during year 2020. Letter to Laeknabladid [in Icelandic]. Laeknabladid. 2021; 107: 206‐ 207.
- [18]Pitkäniemi J, Virtanen A, Tanskanen T. Cancer Samples Declined in Spring 2020: Is the Coronavirus Pandemic Reflected in the Cancer Burden? [Syöpänäytteet vähenivät keväällä 2020: Heijastuuko koronaviruspandemia syöpätaakkaan?] Duodecim; 2021:137 [in Finnish].
- [21]Laronningen S, Skog A, Gulbrandsen J, et al. Considerable Decline in Cancer Diagnoses During the COVID‐19 Pandemic. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen; 2021:141. 33685115
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Bray, F., Laversanne, M., Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Soerjomataram, I., & Jemal, A. (2024) · CA: a cancer journal for clinicians · doi:10.3322/caac.21834 · Cited by 27,064 · see citing works
Unmasking the COVID-19 pandemic prevention gains: excess mortality reversal in 2022
Walkowiak, M. P., Domaradzki, J., & Walkowiak, D. (2023) · Public Health · doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2023.08.004 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
- Authors
- Johansson, A. L. V., Larønningen, S., Skovlund, C. W., Kristiansen, M. F., Mørch, L. S., Friis, S., Johannesen, T. B., Myklebust, T. Å., Skog, A., Pettersson, D., Birgisson, H., Virtanen, A., Malila, N., Pitkäniemi, J., Tanskanen, T., Tryggvadóttir, L., Ursin, G., & Lambe, M.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Cancer Registry of Norway (NO)
- Danish Cancer Society (DK)
- University of the Faroe Islands (FO)
- Ålesund Hospital (NO)
- National Board of Health and Welfare (SE)
- Icelandic Cancer Society (IS)
- Finnish Cancer Registry (FI)
- University of Helsinki (FI)
- Cancer Registry of Iceland Icelandic Cancer Society Reykjavik Iceland
- University of Southern California (US)
- Corresponding author
- Johansson, Anna L. V.
- ORCID
- Venue
- International Journal of Cancer
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2022-04-25
- Volume
- 151
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 381-395
- ISSN
- 0020-7136 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-0215
- PMC
- PMC9087674
- OpenAlex
- W4223929323
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2
- FWCI
- 3.76
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Cancer (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja (submittedVersion)
- Tampere University Institutional Repository (Tampere University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Modeling and Simulation › COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Keywords
- COVID-19 pandemic, cancer diagnosis, cancer registry, new cancer cases, cancer screening, health-seeking behavior, Nordic countries, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands
- MeSH terms
- COVID-19, Denmark, Finland, Humans, Iceland, Neoplasms, Norway, Scandinavian and Nordic Countries, Sweden, Pandemics
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
