Reduction in the Number of Procedures and Hospitalizations and Increase in Cancer Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

Abstract

Although the COVID-19 pandemic quickly emerged in several countries, the first cases did not appear in Brazil until March 2020, when several clusters appeared in heavily populated areas, such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Based on international recommendations and examples, Brazil responded with a plan focused on social distancing and health-care prioritization.1 CONTEXT Key Objective Would changes in the public health system caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have an impact on cancer care? Knowledge Generated During the March to May period, we saw a decrease of biopsies (29%), colonoscopies (57%), mammograms (55%), and oncologic surgeries (9%). Analyzed data also showed a reduction of 21% in the number of hospitalizations. By contrast, there was an increase of 14% in the in-hospital mortality rate. Relevance These results can be used as a source of information to guide public health system plans to improve cancer care in Brazil in the post-pandemic period.