The impact of the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer diagnoses: a population-based study in England
Ce dossier présente un ensemble d'articles concernant la prise en charge des cancers durant la crise sanitaire liée au COVID-19
Cancer services were seriously disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using publicly available data for England, we show that breast cancer diagnoses decreased substantially in the first year of the pandemic, but have recovered to at least pre-pandemic levels. Long term follow-up is needed to assess the impact on outcomes.
The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was significant with three ‘stay at home’ orders of varying durations issued in England in March 2020, November 2020 and January 2021. During the pandemic, guidance was provided on how to manage and plan the subsequent recovery of cancer services.
Breast cancer in England is diagnosed through two main routes largely dependent on patient age. Patients with breast related symptoms and aged ≥16 years may be referred to secondary care breast symptomatic services either urgently, where cancer is suspected, or routinely, where cancer is not suspected. Women aged 50–70 years may also be diagnosed through three yearly mammography within the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). Of the ~50,000 breast cancers diagnosed annually, ~60% of diagnoses follow an urgent or routine symptomatic referral, and ~30% are diagnosed from screening.
British Journal of Cancer , article en libre accès, 2022