Four years after the pandemic began, the presence of the coronavirus and COVID-19 infections has significantly diminished in our daily lives, thanks to vaccines and antiviral drugs. However, the scientific community continues to scrutinize the coronavirus’s impact on health. In the post-pandemic era, experts are closely examining the epidemiological association between SARS-CoV-2 and other diseases, conducting studies to validate any potential links.

One such disease is cancer, which has been a focal point for experts since the pandemic’s onset. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients has been crucial for this highly vulnerable population group, influencing medical decision-making and guidelines.

A recent article by The Washington Post highlighted the potential relationship between coronavirus and cancer from a new perspective. Oncologists have raised the question—prompting calls for further research—about whether the coronavirus could trigger cancer and be responsible for the increase in cancer cases in the U.S.

“According to recent data from the American Cancer Society, 2024 is expected to be the first year in which the U.S. will see more than 2 million new cancer cases, despite lower overall death rates compared to the past,” says Professor Theodora Psaltopoulou, an expert in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the School of Medicine, EKPA.

Causes Behind the Increase

Professor Psaltopoulou explains that this increase can be attributed to several factors. “As in other Western countries, this trend is largely influenced by aging populations. There’s also an increase in diagnoses for six of the ten most common cancers: breast, prostate, endometrial, pancreatic, kidney, and melanoma. Key reasons for the rising incidence of cancer include years of smoking and excess body weight.”

She further notes that certain cancer types are not increasing overall, but specific subgroups are. For instance, colon cancer is rising among people under 50, liver cancer among women, and oral cancers related to HPV, as well as cervical cancer in women aged 30 to 44. “For these last two cancers, a key reason for the increase may be the lack of HPV screening or vaccination. The cause of the rise in colon cancer among younger adults remains unclear but likely reflects lifestyle changes beginning with generations born around 1970. Other factors could include environmental pollution or genetic and family predisposition,” says Professor Psaltopoulou.

Unfortunately, similar detailed data is not available in Greece. “Since the National Registry of Neoplastic Diseases has not yet been fully implemented in Greece, our domestic scientific community can only rely on observations and estimates, not solid data,” points out Zenia Saridaki, President of the Society of Oncological Pathologists of Greece and Director of the First Oncology Clinic at the Metropolitan Hospital.

The Pandemic’s Impact on Cancer Care

In discussing the correlation between the coronavirus pandemic and cancer, Mrs. Saridaki highlights that during the pandemic, many screening tests, follow-up tests, treatments for cancer patients, radiation therapy sessions, and oncological surgeries were lost or delayed. “In other words, new diagnoses and recurrences were missed worldwide and in Greece, as reflected by surveys from the Hellenic Cancer Federation. At the end of 2020 and most of 2021, we saw an increase in diagnoses, often at more advanced stages, and increased deaths due to reduced access to the health system.”

Moreover, the pandemic affected primary prevention efforts. Healthy habits such as proper nutrition, exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding smoking and alcohol, getting adequate sleep, and vaccination—which help prevent many diseases, including cancer—waned during this period.

In summary, while the direct link between COVID-19 and cancer remains under investigation, the pandemic’s impact on cancer detection and treatment is evident. Continued research and improved healthcare strategies are essential to addressing these challenges.