Analysis of Global Cancer Diagnosis Delays and Their Impact on Patient Health

全球癌症診斷延遲及其對患者健康影響的分析

Jun 7, 2026, 19:59

Introduction

Recent data show a significant increase in delayed cancer diagnoses and longer waiting lists in several countries. This trend is primarily caused by the disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

近期數據顯示，數個國家的癌症診斷延遲情況顯著增加，候診名單也隨之延長。這一趨勢主要是由 COVID-19 疫情導致的混亂所引起。

Main Body

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, found that over 55,000 expected cancer diagnoses were missed across seven nations during the first nine months of 2020. In Australia, 3,740 cases were not detected, with the biggest gaps appearing in melanoma and rectum cancer. Furthermore, the Victorian Cancer Registry noted that many patients avoided visiting doctors because they did not want to put more pressure on the struggling healthcare system.

世界衛生組織旗下的國際癌症研究機構發現，在 2020 年前九個月，有七個國家預計有超過 55,000 例癌症診斷被錯過。在澳洲，有 3,740 例病例未被偵測到，其中黑色素瘤與直腸癌的差距最大。此外，維多利亞癌症登記處指出，許多患者因不願增加處於困境的醫療體系壓力而避免就醫。

Medical experts emphasize that these delays have led to more patients being diagnosed at stage 3, which requires more aggressive treatments. Consequently, some cancers that could have been cured with surgery or radiation in 2020 progressed to advanced stages by 2023, reducing the chances of recovery. For instance, prostate cancer progressed in some patients after their routine monitoring stopped.

醫療專家強調，這些延遲導致更多患者在第三期才被診斷出，這需要更激進的治療。因此，一些在 2020 年能透過手術或放射治療治癒的癌症，到 2023 年已演變為晚期，降低了康復機會。例如，部分患者在停止例行監測後，前列腺癌病情有所惡化。

Meanwhile, the National Health Service (NHS) in England reports a record backlog, with 1.92 million patients waiting for tests. Analysis by Magentus shows that this list has grown by 500,000 since 2022, an 83% increase compared to levels before the pandemic. Although the NHS asserts that it is performing more tests than ever through community centers, the demand continues to grow due to an aging population and a greater focus on early detection.

與此同時，英格蘭的國民健康服務（NHS）報告稱積壓情況創紀錄，有 192 萬名患者等待檢查。Magentus 的分析顯示，該名單自 2022 年起增加了 50 萬人，較疫情前水平增加 83%。儘管 NHS 主張其正透過社區中心執行比以往更多的檢查，但由於人口老化以及對早期偵測的重視，需求仍持續增長。

Conclusion

The global healthcare system is currently struggling with a persistent backlog of diagnostic tests, which leads to more advanced diseases and worse health outcomes for many patients.

全球醫療體系目前正與持續積壓的診斷檢查作鬥爭，這導致更多患者病情惡化至晚期，健康結果更差。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'Cause & Effect' Power-Up

To move from A2 (basic sentences) to B2 (fluent flow), you need to stop using and and because for everything. Look at how this text connects ideas using Logical Connectors.

🛠 The B2 Toolkit: Moving Beyond 'Because'

In the text, the author doesn't just say "The pandemic happened, so tests stopped." They use high-level transition words to show a chain of events:

"Primarily caused by..." $\rightarrow$ Use this to point to the main reason.
"Consequently..." $\rightarrow$ Use this instead of "so" when you want to sound professional. It shows a direct result.
"Furthermore..." $\rightarrow$ Use this to add a second, stronger point to your argument.

🔍 Analysis of a 'B2 Sentence'

"Consequently, some cancers that could have been cured... progressed to advanced stages... reducing the chances of recovery."

Why this is B2 level:

The Trigger: It starts with Consequently (Result).
The Contrast: It uses could have been (Imagining a different past).
The Flow: It ends with reducing (Adding a consequence without starting a new sentence).

💡 Pro-Tip for Your Writing

Next time you write a paragraph, try this sequence: [Main Idea] $\rightarrow$ Furthermore, [Extra Detail] $\rightarrow$ Consequently, [Final Result].

Example: Learning English is challenging. Furthermore, B2 grammar is complex. Consequently, students must practice every day.

Vocabulary Learning

disruption (n.)

An interruption that prevents a process or system from continuing as normal.

Example:The flight delays caused a major disruption to the passengers' travel plans.

emphasize (v.)

To give special importance or attention to something when speaking or writing.

Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of reviewing the notes before the exam.

aggressive (adj.)

In a medical context, referring to a treatment that is very strong or forceful to combat a disease.

Example:The doctors decided to start an aggressive chemotherapy regime to treat the tumor.

consequently (adv.)

As a result of something that has happened.

Example:The company lost a lot of money; consequently, they had to lay off several employees.

backlog (n.)

An accumulation of uncompleted work or matters that need to be dealt with.

Example:The administrative office is trying to clear a huge backlog of applications from last year.

assert (v.)

To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.

Example:The lawyer continued to assert that his client was innocent despite the evidence.

persistent (adj.)

Continuing to exist or occur over a prolonged period of time.

Example:Despite the medication, he suffered from a persistent cough for three weeks.

Practice B2 words in a crossword→