This report examines how COVID-19 disrupted cancer screening, diagnosis, and early treatment across Europe, leading to delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes. It identifies patient hesitation, reduced system capacity, and service disruption as primary drivers of screening declines. Evidence suggests that even short diagnostic delays can significantly reduce long-term survival for multiple cancer types. The report highlights adaptive responses such as triaging, remote consultations, public awareness campaigns, and cross-sector collaboration. It calls for resilient screening systems, prioritization of high-risk populations, and long-term structural reform to prevent cancer from becoming a “second pandemic.”

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