Hidden statistic buried in Victoria's days of lockdown

During 2020, cancer diagnoses in Victoria declined, a new report has found and the decline is likely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The drop in cases does not mean less people have cancer, instead it indicates people are not getting diagnosed.

The report by the Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR) at Cancer Council Victoria was released on Thursday and found diagnoses overall had decreased by 7 per cent last year, or about 2420 diagnoses.

Cancers of the oral cavity were the most under-diagnosed in Victoria last year, accounting for a 16 per cent decline, followed by prostate cancer (a 13 per cent decline), melanoma (a 12 per cent decline) and bowel cancer (a 11 per cent decline).

Between April and June in 2020, breast cancer diagnoses among females in the state fell, but recovered slightly by the end of the year with a five per cent decline.

"These cancers accounted for 56 per cent of all diagnoses in Victoria. Two-thirds of the decline in diagnoses were among Victorians aged between 50 and 74 years old," Cancer Council Victoria said.

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In 2020, Victorians endured two Covid-19 lockdowns, one lasted more than 100 days and ran from July to October.

VCR director Professor Sue Evans said the decline in diagnoses was most likely due to Victorians not going to screening or assessment appointments during the pandemic.

“Given the steep decline in cancer diagnoses between April and June 2020, we had anticipated seeing a higher than anticipated number of diagnoses in the latter part of 2020, but this did not occur,” Prof Evans said.

'Concern' for undiagnosed cancer

Peninsula Health Associate's head of oncology Professor Zee Wan Wong is concerned some 2400 people in Victoria have not been diagnosed.

“These undiagnosed cancer patients may present very late or with more complex clinical circumstances that could potentially make their care more complicated or have poorer outcomes,” she said.

Vincent Lucas was diagnosed with prostate and kidney cancer in March last year after taking an annual prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.

“I had no idea that a pandemic was about to impact the world and I had no signs of either cancer,” Mr Lucas said.

“Early detection and action have saved me a lot of complications. Thanks to my prostate diagnosis I was lucky to identify and act on the kidney cancer."

At the very start of last year in March, the Victorian Covid-19 Cancer Network (VCCN) Taskforce was set up.

The taskforce was established to tackle the challenges the pandemic would have on the care of cancer patients.

In 2020, 34,712 people in Victoria were diagnosed with some form of cancer, with Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper stressing the importance of people prioritising their health.

“It’s understandable that with state and international borders now opening up, Victorians will be eager to get on with life as soon as possible,” Mr Harper said.

“If you have been invited to participate in a cancer screening program, please don’t delay – please make that your first priority. With 31 deaths from cancer every day in Victoria, we must act now to avoid a major health crisis.

“Cancer screening saves lives – it is one of the most effective ways to detect the early signs of cancer."

He said people should take steps to reduce their risk of developing cancer, like quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy body weight and being SunSmart, along with talking to a GP about symptoms.

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