A new study published in the ANZ Journal of Surgery has linked an increase in advanced breast cancer cases in Australia to delays in screenings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study reports a 14.7% rise in symptomatic breast cancer cases and a 2.5% increase in Stage 3 and 4 diagnoses from 2019 to 2022.
Why the Increase?
- COVID-19 lockdowns, staff shortages, and resource shifts disrupted routine screening programs.
- Many women missed regular mammograms due to pandemic-related restrictions.
- Delayed diagnoses mean more advanced cases are now being detected, leading to more aggressive treatments and lower survival rates.
Health professionals urge women aged 50 to 74 to resume regular screenings and not delay check-ups. Early detection remains the key to successful treatment and better survival rates.
For more details, visit Daily Telegraph.
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