Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Timing of Childhood Cancer Diagnoses.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the health care system in unprecedented ways. We reviewed the registry of new cancer patients who presented to the Children's of Mississippi Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and showed the average number of new pediatric cancer diagnoses dropped during the initial COVID-19 months and rose significantly in June 2020. We must encourage families to seek health care when needed and keep scheduled appointments for routine vaccinations and health maintenance as we know the long-term sequela of delaying health maintenance far outweighs risks at present.