Pandemic Linked To Worse One-Year Cancer Survival

Study finds drop in one-year survival for cancer patients diagnosed in 2020-2021 compared to pre-pandemic years.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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A new national analysis in JAMA Oncology found that one-year survival rates dropped for cancer patients whose first diagnosis came during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to those diagnosed from 2015-2019. The decline was seen in both early- and late-stage cancers, and was most pronounced for colorectal, prostate and pancreatic cancers. Researchers say disruptions to the healthcare system were likely a key contributor, with delayed screenings, slower treatment starts and strained follow-up care during the pandemic's early waves.

Why it matters

The findings add to growing evidence that pandemic-related disruptions in cancer care had measurable short-term consequences, underscoring the importance of resuming missed screenings and preventive care. Clinicians in Houston have reported seeing patients present sicker than they likely would have before the pandemic, highlighting the need for renewed outreach efforts to get screening rates back up, especially in hard-hit communities.

The details

The JAMA Oncology analysis covered more than 1 million patients and recorded roughly 144,000 deaths within a year of diagnosis. To isolate the pandemic's impact on cancer care, the authors tried to filter out deaths mainly attributed to COVID-19. They found one-year survival dropped for patients whose first cancer diagnosis came in 2020 or 2021, compared to 2015-2019. The decline was seen across cancer types, with the most pronounced effects for colorectal, prostate and pancreatic cancers.

  • The analysis covered cancer diagnoses from 2015 through 2021.
  • The findings were published on February 6, 2026.

The players

JAMA Oncology

A medical journal that published the analysis on the impact of the pandemic on cancer survival rates.

Todd Burus

The lead author of the JAMA Oncology study.

Memorial Hermann

A Houston-area healthcare system that has reported seeing sicker cancer patients due to pandemic-related disruptions.

MD Anderson

A cancer center in Houston that has emphasized safety protocols and outreach programs to get screening rates back up, especially in hard-hit communities.

American Cancer Society

A national organization that has cautioned that short-term dips in survival may not lead to dramatic long-term mortality trends if recovery is relatively quick.

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What they’re saying

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

— Todd Burus, Lead author of the JAMA Oncology study (Associated Press)

“Some patients are now showing up sicker than they likely would have before the pandemic, and ramping up screening outreach remains a priority.”

— Memorial Hermann (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

National cancer groups continue to emphasize the importance of timely screening and prompt evaluation of symptoms to save lives. Clinics have had years to refine their safety protocols, so those who pressed pause on preventive care should contact their providers about scheduling options.

The takeaway

The findings underscore the downstream consequences of missed cancer screenings and delayed care during the pandemic, highlighting the critical need for patients to resume routine preventive care to catch cancers early and improve long-term outcomes.