Japanese cancer screening programs during the COVID-19 pandemic: Changes in participation between 2017-2020

Background: The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cancer screening participation is a global concern. A national database of screening performance is available in Japan for population-based cancer screening, estimated to cover approximately half of all cancer screenings.Methods: Utilizing the fiscal year (FY) 2017-2020 national database, the number of participants in screenings for gastric cancer (upper gastrointestinal [UGI] series or endoscopy), colorectal cancer (fecal occult blood test), lung cancer (chest X-ray), breast cancer (mammography), and cervical cancer (Pap smear) were identified. The percent change in the number of participants was calculated. Results: Compared with the pre-pandemic period (FY 2017-2019), in percentage terms FY 2020 recorded the largest decline in gastric cancer UGI series (2.82 million to 1.91 million, percent change was -32.2 %), followed by screening for breast cancer (3.10 million to 2.57 million, percent change was -17.2 %), lung cancer (7.92 million to 6.59 million, percent change was -16.7 %), colorectal cancer (8.42 million to 7.30 million, percent change was -13.4 %), cervical cancer (4.26 million to 3.77 million, percent change was -11.6 %), and gastric cancer via endoscopy (1.02 million to 0.93 million, percent change was -9.0 %).Conclusion: The number of participants in population-based screenings in Japan decreased by approximately 10-30 % during the pandemic. The impact of these declines on cancer detection or mortality should be carefully monitored.

Automated summary

The number of participants in cancer screenings in Japan decreased by approximately 10-30% in 2020 compared to the period from 2017 to 2019. Gastric cancer screening had the largest decline with a decrease of 32.2%. The impact of these declines on cancer detection and mortality should be carefully monitored.