System of providing cancer care in the Netherlands during COVID-19 pandemic: assessing the consequences of the first wave

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on healthcare systems in many countries around the world, including the cancer care system in the Netherlands. During the first smart lockdown, the number of consultations by family physicians (general practitioners) decreased by 70%, and the number of referrals of patients to specialized centers (hospitals) decreased by 75 %. Since the 9th week of 2020, in which the first case of COVID-19 in the Netherlands was confirmed, there has been a marked decrease in the number of diagnosed oncological diseases. When compared with the first weeks of 2020, the number of diagnoses at the peak of the pandemic decreased by 20-4 0%. 20th week and onwards saw the recovery of the diagnostic system, although the number of detected cases of cancer remained low. Screening programs for breast, colon and cervical cancer have been suspended at 12th week of 2020. Further clinical studies are needed to identify the real effects of the pandemic on long-term outcomes (survival and quality of life) in cancer patients. It is important to remove unnecessary barriers for patients to seek care in primary health care and to ensure continued regular care during the pandemic.