Covid-19 pandemic and reduction of colorectal cancer screening related procedures in the czech republic

patients received a follow-up colonoscopy by year end, and through October 2020, 6,856 of 10,922 (62.8%) received a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive FIT (Fig 1c).Another 14,420 of 762,621 (1.9%) and 9,902 of 791,356 (1.3%) members completed a colonoscopy during 2019 and 2020, respectively (Fig 2).By the end of 2019, 665,541 of 913,873 (72.8%) were up to date with screening, and through October 2020, 522,215 of 941,763 (55.5%) were up to date with screening (Fig 2).CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in temporary delays in the mailing and return of FITs; and a reduction in colonoscopies performed, due, in part, to patient reluctance to respond to FIT outreach or complete followup colonoscopy during the pandemic.Also, fewer individuals were up to date with screening, although outreach continues through December 2020.The organized mailed FIT program allowed for the rapid resumption of outreach; however, follow-up is needed to assess the impact of screening delays on CRC outcomes and to identify ways to improve adherence with FIT screening, including colonoscopy follow-up after a positive FIT.