It’s Time to Act on Delayed screening, Disregarded symptoms and Postponed treatment

If you or a loved one delayed preventive screenings, disregarded signs and symptoms of an ailment or postponed treatment over the last year, it’s time to act. Don’t wait any longer to reconnect with your physician. Studies have confirmed that cancer screenings plummeted over the past year. Data analysis by Epic Health Research Network found that hundreds of thousands fewer screenings were performed last year than in 2019. When screenings are delayed or missed cancer cases might be diagnosed at a later stage with a poorer prognosis.

Patients that were instructed to follow up on abnormal test results just as the pandemic hit last year have deferred further evaluation. Deferring evaluation and avoiding diagnosis does not delay a disease’s progression it only worsens the prognosis. These are not pretend situations; sadly this reality for too many people today.

Cancer can steal years of life from a person, unless the person steals time from cancer first through early detection and treatment. During uncertain times, it’s important to lean on the physicians that know us best. Conversations between physicians, patients and caregivers about diagnosis, treatment and life with cancer are must resume without further delay. As they do, Patients and Providers United will continue to amplify the voices that seek to preserve the precious physician-patient relationship.