Experts expect spike in cancer diagnoses due to coronavirus fear

Experts expect spike in cancer diagnoses due to coronavirus fear

To the safety measures at others.

Throughout the pandemic - health care providers have encouraged people to continue going to the doctor for preventative care.

Now - north alabama oncologists say - a recent drop in cancer diagnoses could lead to a spike later in the year.

Waay-31s alexis scott spoke with a huntsville doctor about what he's seeing among patients.

At the clearview cancer institute doctors say they've seen fewer peopled diagnosed with different cancers during the the coronavirus pandemic.

They say it's mainly because fewer people are coming in for appointments.

Staff here said they want you to know they're taking precautions - so you should feel safe seeing your doctor.

Dr. j.r.

Nicholson, hematologist oncologist "we did see there were a lot less diagnoses in the april, may period and we think it may have been the consequence of unfortunately less screenings modalities," dr john richard nicholson works at the clearview cancer institute.

He told me their data shows a nearly 40-percent decrease in cancer diagnoses this april compared to .

He says he's worried about what that means in the long term.

Doctor nicholson said april's drop could lead to more people having an increased risk for additional cancers.

He said others run the risk of a delayed diagnosis if they reschedule an appointment.

Dr. nicholson told me at c-c-i they're doing all they can to keep you safe even before you walk in the door.

Dr. j.r.

Nicholson, hematologist oncologist "the 24 hours or so before we're making sure patients aren't particularly active symptomatic and if they are, and been tested with swabs for covid-19 exposure," and that's not all.

They're temperature checking everyone who walks through the front door... asking screening questions... and emphasizing the use of masks and plexi-glass and social distancing.

Since may... he says they've seen slow and steady increase in the number of people getting their cancer screenings.

That's something dr. nichols says he hopes to see continue.

Dr. j.r.

Nicholson, hematologist oncologist "even if something is caught much earlier that's always going to be in the patient's favor versus later diagnoses, avoiding screening measures so we do want to emphasize we feel it's safe for patients to re-implement their screening and pre-screening measures," reporting in huntsville, waay-31 news clearview cancer institute also handles chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients.

The facility said they're following the same guidelines as they do for their other patients - but are also cleaning daily.

They said if patients have any questions - they can always call their