Delayed skin cancer diagnosis in 2020 because of the COVID-19–related restrictions: Data from an institutional registry

To the Editor: During 2020, restrictions applied to limit COVID-19 dissemination radically modified health care services. In Greece, during the lockdown introduced in March, the routine functions of dermatology outpatient clinics were suspended, prioritizing only emergencies, including lesions suspicious for skin cancer, because of rapid growth or clinicians' referrals. This resulted in a reduction in the number of patients examined by approximately 80%. Limited routine diagnostic procedures restarted after 2 months until late October, when a new lockdown was imposed because of a second COVID-19 outbreak.