Experts are concerned that the decline in cancer diagnosis in Victoria for the 2020 period is not indicative of a reduction in prevalence of disease, but rather of missed and delayed diagnosis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the world, cancer diagnosis has decreased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cancer in Victoria 2020 report (pdf) released on Dec. 9 found that around 2,420 less diagnosis was made in 2020 compared to the previous year. The most common cancers that went undiagnosed were cancers of the oral cavity, prostate cancer, melanoma and bowel cancer. The council originally anticipated a higher number of diagnoses in the latter part of 2020, but this did not occur. This is a cause for concern because the current treatment protocols for cancer mean that once diagnosed, treatment for cancer should commence as soon as possible. A delayed diagnosis often results in further disease progression …