Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33617304›Full record

SynthesisJCO global oncology2021

Delays and Disruptions in Cancer Health Care Due to COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review.

Rachel Riera, Ângela Maria Bagattini, Rafael Leite Pacheco, Daniela Vianna Pachito, Felipe Roitberg, Andre Ilbawi

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in JCO global oncology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 276 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
276citing papers in PubMed, 7 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

276 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  8. Recruitment strategies for a multisite telehealth trial for rural cancer survivors with ostomies.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
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  20. Voices of Black men: reflecting on prostate cancer survivorship care plans.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2026
    Article

216 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Rachel RieraCentre of Health Technology Assessment, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil.ORCID 0000-0002-9522-1871
Ângela Maria BagattiniCentre of Health Technology Assessment, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil.
Rafael Leite PachecoCentre of Health Technology Assessment, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil.
Daniela Vianna PachitoCentre of Health Technology Assessment, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil.ORCID 0000-0002-7052-7735
Felipe RoitbergInstituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo/HCFMUSP, São Paulo, Brazil.
Andre IlbawiDepartment of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-4751-6595

Funding

World Health Organization 001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThere has been noteworthy concern about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health services including the management of cancer. In addition to being considered at higher risk for worse outcomes from COVID-19, people with cancer may also experience disruptions or delays in health services. This systematic review aimed to identify the delays and disruptions to cancer services globally.

methodsThis is a systematic review with a comprehensive search including specific and general databases. We considered any observational longitudinal and cross-sectional study design. The selection, data extraction, and methodological assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by specific tools. The delays and disruptions identified were categorized, and their frequency was presented.

resultsAmong the 62 studies identified, none exhibited high methodological quality. The most frequent determinants for disruptions were provider- or system-related, mainly because of the reduction in service availability. The studies identified 38 different categories of delays and disruptions with impact on treatment, diagnosis, or general health service. Delays or disruptions most investigated included reduction in routine activity of cancer services and number of cancer surgeries; delay in radiotherapy; and delay, reschedule, or cancellation of outpatient visits. Interruptions and disruptions largely affected facilities (up to 77.5%), supply chain (up to 79%), and personnel availability (up to 60%).

conclusionThe remarkable frequency of delays and disruptions in health care mostly related to the reduction of the COVID-19 burden unintentionally posed a major risk on cancer care worldwide. Strategies can be proposed not only to mitigate the main delays and disruptions but also to standardize their measurement and reporting. As a high number of publications continuously are being published, it is critical to harmonize the upcoming reports and constantly update this review.

Indexed as

COVID-19Ambulatory CareCross-Sectional StudiesDelivery of Health CareHumansNeoplasms

Identifiers

PMID33617304
PMCPMC8081532

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.