Study Suggests Pandemic Disruptions Worsened Cancer Survival Rates

Researchers find one-year survival rates declined for cancer patients diagnosed in 2020 and 2021 compared to prior years.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:47pm

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A new federally funded study published in the medical journal JAMA Oncology suggests that disruptions to cancer diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic led to worse short-term survival rates for cancer patients diagnosed in 2020 and 2021 compared to those diagnosed between 2015 and 2019. The researchers found declines in one-year survival rates across a range of cancer types and stages, with the most worrying drops seen in colorectal, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

Why it matters

The study is the first to quantify the impact of pandemic-related healthcare disruptions on cancer survival, providing important insights into how the COVID-19 crisis affected cancer outcomes beyond just deaths directly attributed to the virus. Understanding these effects can help the medical community prepare for future public health emergencies and ensure cancer patients continue to receive timely, effective care.

The details

Researchers analyzed national cancer registry data and found that over 1 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and 2021, with around 144,000 dying within one year. They calculated lower one-year survival rates for both early- and late-stage cancer diagnoses across all cancer sites combined, with the largest declines seen in colorectal, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. The researchers believe healthcare disruptions like postponed cancer screenings and delayed treatment were likely key contributors to the worsened survival, though they could not definitively prove the causes.

  • The study analyzed cancer diagnoses and outcomes from 2015-2021.
  • The study was published on February 5, 2026.

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 who worked on a previous paper that found overall cancer death rates in the U.S. continued to decline throughout the pandemic.

Hyuna Sung

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

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What they’re saying

“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

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

— Hyuna Sung, Senior Principal Scientist and Cancer Epidemiologist

What’s next

Further research will be needed to determine if the impacts on cancer survival were lasting or if they quickly recovered.

The takeaway

This study highlights the significant toll that pandemic-related disruptions to healthcare can have on cancer patients, underscoring the importance of ensuring cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment remain accessible and timely even during public health crises.