Response to 'Reduction in skin cancer diagnosis, and overall cancer referrals, during the COVID-19 pandemic'.

we noted with interest the recent letter by Earnshaw and colleagues documenting decreased skin cancer referrals to their dermatology department and report a similar phenomenon seen in Ireland on a national level1 . An analysis of skin cancer referrals from the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Ireland from January to June in 2019 and 2020 showed that between the months of January to June 2019, there was 2,994 pigmented lesion electronic referrals from primary care. During the same months in 2020, there was 2,507 pigmented lesion electronic referrals, a reduction of 487 referrals. Monthly recordings demonstrate a decrease in referrals since the introduction of the lockdown in March, April and May. During the month of March there was a 47% reduction in referrals from 470 to 252 in 2019 and 2020, respectively. During the month of April, there was a 58% reduction in referrals from 502 to 210 in 2019 and 2020, respectively and a 30% reduction in referrals during the month of May, Figure 1.