The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the clinical assistance to breast cancer patients

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2024

Autores

Ribeiro, I (Autor) Outra; peleteiro, b (Autor) FMUP; Fougo, JL (Autor) FMUP

Revista

Título: CANCER CAUSES & CONTROL

Vol. 35

Páginas: 63-72

ISSN: 0957-5243

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citação

Scopus - 1 Citação

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00Y-WG4

DOI: 10.1007/s10552-023-01762-3

Abstract (EN): Purpose We aimed to disclose the impact of the pandemic on breast cancer patients in a specialized breast cancer center (BCC). Methods A total of 501 breast cancer patients with a first appointment in the BCC from April 1st, 2019 to March 31st, 2021 were divided into four consecutive periods of 6 months. Data from the homologous semesters was compared. Patients with an appointment in the BCC during the study period were eligible for the secondary aim of our study (BCC workload). Results After the pandemic declaration (period 3), we found a decrease in the referral by screening programs (p = 0.002) and a reduction in the waiting time between the primary care referral and the first BCC appointment (p < 0.001). There were higher rates of palpable axillary nodes (p = 0.001), an increase in N stage 2 and 3 (p = 0.050), and a trend for primary endocrine therapy as the first treatment (p = 0.021) associated with higher rates of complete axillary node dissection (p = 0.030). In period 4, there were more outward diagnoses (p = 0.003) and a higher rate of surgery as the first treatment (p = 0.013). Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic implied a more advanced nodal stage, which may be related to the delay in breast cancer screening. [GRAPHICS] .

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 10