SUMMARY OBJECTIVE:

This article aims to alert health professionals for cancer screening in the face of the possibility of new waves of disease.

METHODS:

A narrative review was conducted through a search in MEDLINE, Lilacs, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and international medical societies publications.

RESULTS:

Breast cancer: in high-risk patients (confirmed familial cancer syndrome or with high-risk tools scores), clinicians should act according to usual recommendations; in average-risk individuals, consider screening with mammography with a longer time span (maximum of two years).

Cervical cancer:

women turning 25 years old who have already been immunized and with no previous Pap test can have the test postponed during the pandemic; if there is no previous dose of Human Papillomavirus vaccination, initiation of screening should be recommended following a more rigid approach for COVID prevention; in women over 30 years of age who have never participated in cervical screening, the first screening exam is also essential.

Colorectal cancer:

if the individual is at elevated risk for familial cancer, the screening with colonoscopy according to usual recommendations should be supported; if at average risk consider screening with Fecal Occult Blood Test.

Prostate cancer:

there is a trend to postpone routine prostate cancer screening until the pandemic subsides.

CONCLUSIONS:

The decision to keep cancer screening must be discussed and individualized, considering the possibility of new waves of COVID-19.