Study Finds Pandemic Disruptions Worsened Cancer Survival Rates

Research shows cancer patients diagnosed during early COVID-19 had worse short-term survival than those diagnosed before the pandemic.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A new federally funded study published in JAMA Oncology suggests that disruptions to cancer diagnosis and treatment during the early COVID-19 pandemic led to worse short-term survival rates for cancer patients. The study found that people diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and 2021 had lower one-year survival rates compared to those diagnosed between 2015 and 2019, across a range of cancer types and stages.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the significant impact the pandemic had on cancer care and outcomes, beyond the direct effects of COVID-19 itself. Disruptions to cancer screenings, diagnosis, and treatment access likely contributed to the worsened survival rates seen in the study. Understanding the pandemic's broader effects on cancer care is crucial to preparing for future health crises.

The details

Researchers analyzed national cancer registry data and found that over 1 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and 2021, with about 144,000 dying within one year. They calculated lower one-year survival rates for both early- and late-stage cancer diagnoses during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic years. The largest differences were seen in colorectal, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

  • The study analyzed cancer diagnoses and survival rates from 2015-2021.
  • The researchers focused specifically on cancer patients diagnosed in 2020 and 2021, during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

The players

Todd Burus

The lead author of the study and a medical data analysis specialist at the University of Kentucky.

Recinda Sherman

A researcher with the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries who previously published work on overall cancer death rates during the pandemic.

Hyuna Sung

A senior principal scientist and cancer epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society.

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What they’re saying

“But disruptions to the health care system were probably a key contributor.”

— Todd Burus, Lead Author (JAMA Oncology)

“As this study is the first to document pandemic-related, cause-specific survival, I think it is important. The more we understand about the impact of COVID-19, the better we will be able to prepare for the next one.”

— Recinda Sherman, Researcher (North American Association of Central Cancer Registries)

“Transient declines in survival that quickly recover may have little impact on long-term mortality trends.”

— Hyuna Sung, Cancer Epidemiologist (American Cancer Society)

What’s next

Further research will be needed to determine if the pandemic's impact on cancer survival rates was temporary or has had longer-lasting effects.

The takeaway

This study underscores the significant collateral damage the COVID-19 pandemic had on cancer care, highlighting the need to strengthen health systems and preparedness to maintain essential services during future crises.