EP.TH.335Through the Lens of a Pandemic: The Impact of COVID-19 on Breast Cancer. (28th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ribbits, Alexander; Subramanian, Ash; Shah, Elizabeth
• Is Part Of: British journal of surgery. Volume 108:Supplement 7(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-28
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab309.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: On March 11 th 2020 the UN accorded COVID-19 pandemic status. On March 15 th, the Association of Breast Surgery released guidelines in light of the pandemic. Eight days later the UK government announced the first lockdown. GP referrals fell in April/May. The aim of this study is to review how COVID-19 affected breast cancer management. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with breast cancer attending their initial appointment between March 16 th to September 18 th (pandemic phase) and 1 st January to 15 th March(pre-pandemic). Primary outcomes were pandemic-related modification of treatment plans, and diagnosis of COVID-19 or related complications. Secondary outcomes were delay in presentation or advanced disease. B-Map-C and the CovidSurg Collaborative were used as Gold Standards. Results: 39 patients were in the pandemic phase and 45 in the pre-pandemic. 3/39(7.69%) and 14/45(31%) had surgery delayed. There were no COVID diagnoses. In-situ cancers were held on a deferred list until local guidelines changed. 2 patients had interim endocrine therapy. 9/39 underwent chemotherapy, of which 4 were neoadjuvant. 2/39 patients presented late to their GP, of which one had widespread metastases. 9/39(23.08%) were lymph node positive. In the pre-pandemic group, 6/45(13.3%) were lymph node positive, 2/45(4.4%) had distant metastases. Conclusions: This study shows that breast surgery can be safely carried out during this pandemic and treatment postponement should be avoided as the pandemic continues. It remains to be seen if delayed treatments during 2020 will impact on local relapse and overall survival rates.