The impact of Covid-19 on the diagnosis of gynecological cancers in the post-pandemic era: an integrative review

Keywords

COVID-19 - gynecological cancers - post-pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the dynamics of health systems, including limiting activities to prevent and diagnose gynecological cancers in primary care. This study aims to understand the extent of the consequences of the pandemic period on gynecological cancers in terms of diagnosis and prognosis. The method in this research was an integrative review based on the search of publications in PubMed, SciELO, and BVS from January 2020 to June 2023, with three exclusion moments and a final sample of 9 articles. Seventy-nine publications were identified in the databases, 38 in Medline via PUBMED, 15 in SciELO, and 26 in the VHL databases (all in Medline). In the first moment of deletion, 23 duplicate publications were removed. In the second moment, after reviewing the title and abstract, 45 articles that did not answer the research question were excluded. Finally, after reading the full article, two publications were excluded because they were not accessible completely, so the rest met the inclusion criteria. With the study, it was possible to identify regions already registered with lower diagnoses of such types of cancers in the pandemic period. The evidence gathered pointed to a decline in the diagnosis of gynecological cancers during the study period. It was reported that ovarian cancer was the most affected gynecological cancer by the pandemic. There were differences in tumor staging, with some Authors reporting a higher rate of advanced-stage cervical and ovarian cancers during the pandemic period. Some reported a decline in the diagnosis of initial stages of breast cancer and secondary prevention measures. Several results indicated avoidance of consultations due to fear of the virus, postponement of evaluation exams, interruptions of screening and vaccination procedures, establishment of non-priority staging, postponement of surgeries, priority to conservative treatments, and decline in diagnoses during the pandemic. It is concluded that the pandemic event impaired women's health care in the context of gynecological cancers, which calls for measures to adapt to primary and secondary care.

Corresponding author: Carolina Martins Vieira (e-mail: [e-mail]).

 

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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
06 May 2025