Short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a population-based screening program for colorectal cancer in Catalonia (Spain)

Abstract Background By mid-March 2020, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program in Catalonia was suspended at all levels. Our goal was to assess the short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at a FIT-based CRC screening hub in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. Methods Short-term impact was measured in individuals invited between 1 January and 12 March 2020: screening participation, colonoscopy adherence, interval from positive test result to colonoscopy and psychological distress. Results Lockdown with the first wave of COVID-19 caused 111,000 individuals to defer their screening invitations. Participation among invitees between January - March 2020 was 39.3% (95% CI: 38.9–39.7), a decrease of 5% in comparison with the 41.4% (95% CI: 41.2–41.6) participation in 2019. Adherence to colonoscopy decreased from 89.3% (95% CI: 88.4–90.2) in 2019 to 81.4% (95% CI: 78.9–83.7) in the first quarter of 2020. The mean time to colonoscopy after resumption was 128.7 days (CI 95%: 125.3–132.2). Irrespective of test results, factors associated with higher levels of distress were a greater perceived risk of CRC and greater impairment of emotional wellbeing due to COVID-19. Conclusions The short-term impact of COVID-19 on CRC screening seems to have been modest, with a slight decrease in participation, a moderate decrease in colonoscopy adherence, and lengthened waiting times. However, a marked impact on future CRC incidence and deaths could be expected. Thus, it is critical to revert participation and colonoscopy adherence rates to that previously achieved while reducing the 5-month delay in screening invitations.