What has been the impact of Covid-19 on Skin Cancer detection rates?

4 min read
What has been the impact of Covid-19 on Skin Cancer detection rates?
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The introduction of “lockdowns”, the restriction of movement and non-essential healthcare activities being suspended have all had a profound impact on the diagnosis of cancer cases including skin cancer. 

Countries around the World are now evaluating the unintended consequences of Covid-19 restrictions on the diagnosis of cancer. Sadly, cancer related death rates are expected to increase over the coming years due to the delay in diagnosis.

In the Netherlands, it has been reported that by the 15th week in 2020, skin cancer detection rates were down by close to 70% (from c1,200 diagnoses per day to c400). 

In Australia, whilst skin cancer rates have not been separately evaluated, overall cancer detection rates were 30% lower due to the impacts of Covid-19. 

Dr Speakman told ABC News that “the bigger risk, in fact, is that if people don’t come along and get seen, go to their GP or go through screening, then their cancer will be far more advanced when it is detected”. Speakman added, “That means we may go from a position where the patient is curable to a position where that is not the case”.

In the UK there is a similar story. Cancer screening was suspended in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, diagnostic work deferred with only urgent cases prioritised for intervention.

By Jun 2020, Cancer Research UK estimated that 2.5m Britons had not been screened, tested or treated for Cancer due to Covid-19, resulting in 24,000 cases of cancer being undetected.

Health leaders have urged the public to not put their health on hold due to Covid-19.

At Solbari we recognise that early detection is critical to effective treatment. Solbari has teamed up with SkinVision to launch an early detection skin cancer smartphone App. SkinVision, headquartered in Amsterdam, are the leader in skin cancer detection technology. Over 1.2m users worldwide trust their skin cancer detection technology already. 

The SkinVision/Solbari smartphone App provides an instantaneous risk rating for a skin lesion that has been photographed with your phone. This technology has been validated by independent medical institutions as having a 95% accuracy rate of detecting a skin cancer.

Solbari is focused on skin cancer prevention and detection. Solbari also offers a range of UPF 50+ sun protective clothing, broad brim sun hats and UPF50+ accessories. Solbari has recently released a range of sun care products including SPF50+ sunscreens.

You can find out more about Solbari's certified UPF50+ sun protective range by clicking the blue links below:
Women UPF50+
Men UPF50+
Sun hats UPF50+
Accessories UPF50+
SPF50+ Sunscreen
Skin Check App

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