Timeliness and Modality of Treatment for New Cancer Diagnoses During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada

Key Points Question Is the COVID-19 pandemic associated with the modality of and wait times for treatment among patients with new cancer diagnoses? Findings In this cohort study comprising 313 499 Canadian adults newly diagnosed with cancer in 2016 to 2020, those diagnosed during the pandemic were less likely to receive surgery as an initial treatment and were more likely to receive chemotherapy or radiation first during the first postdiagnosis year. Mean wait times decreased in the pandemic for each modality among those who were treated within 6 months. Meaning The pandemic-associated shifts in cancer management observed in this study may reflect changes in the patient case-mix, which requires further understanding to minimize potential negative repercussions.

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