JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected cancer screening.

Objective:

This study aimed to clarify the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the intention to undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) screening.

Methods:

We performed a web-based survey on the intention to undergo screening among 1,236 men and women aged 20–79 years in January 2021, the period during which the government declared a state of emergency during the third COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Emergency declarations were issued in 11 prefectures.

Results:

In total, 66.1% of the participants felt anxious about undergoing screening due to COVID-19. By modality, EGD had the highest percentage of participants with anxiety due to COVID-19. Based on the previous screening results, the percentage of participants who felt anxious about EGD due to the COVID-19 pandemic was higher in the order of those who had not undergone screening and those who were judged to be in need of further examination in screening but did not visit a hospital for it. In the logistic regression analysis, the factors associated with the anxiety about EGD screening due to COVID-19 pandemic were “viral infection prevention measures,” “waiting time,” “fees (medical expenses),” “mode of transportation,” “worry about my social position if I contracted COVID-19,” and “perceived the risk of gastric cancer.” However, ‘residence in declared emergency area’ was not associated with EGD anxiety due to COVID-19.

Conclusions:

Excessive anxiety about EGD screening may cause serious disadvantages, and it is necessary to thoroughly implement infection prevention measures and provide correct information to examinees.