The association of COVID-19 testing with cancer care disruption

ABSTRACT

Background: Research has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced access to cancer treatment and care for patients, especially for COVID-19 patients. Methods: We investigated the impact of COVID-19 testing on access to cancer care. A US based cross sectional study was conducted on 2,393 cancer patients using data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between COVID-19 testing and likelihood of receiving cancer treatment or other cancer care during the pandemic. Results: Patients who reported ever being tested for COVID were on average younger (66.9 vs 69.3, p<0.001). Patients with professional school education reported higher rates of being tested than lower education levels (40.0%, p=0.032). Tested patients reported higher rates of not receiving medical care due to COVID-19 (23.3% vs. 19.1%, p=0.026). On multivariable analysis, patients who reported ever being tested for COVID-19 were less likely to receive cancer treatment (OR 0.639, 95% CI 0.489-0.834, p=0.001) or receive any other cancer medical care (OR 0.657, 95% CI 0.523-0.825, p<0.001) (Table). Conclusions: These data suggest COVID testing itself is associated with increased likelihood of cancer care disruption. As the pandemic persists, awareness of cancer care disruption, even by testing alone, should be raised.