Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in patients assisted at Clinicals Hospital Breast Unit

Authors

  • Natalia Camejo Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Prof. Adjunta
  • Cecilia Castillo Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Prof. Agregada
  • Dahiana Amarillo Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Asist.
  • María Guerrina Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Prof. Adjunta
  • Florencia Savio Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Asist.
  • Mariana Carrasco Hospital Maciel, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Residente
  • Florencia Rodríguez Centro de Asistencia Médica del Sindicato Médico del Uruguay, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Residente
  • Florencia Vitureira Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Residente
  • Guadalupe Herrera Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos, Asist.
  • Lucía Delgado Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Prof.
  • Gabriel Krygier Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Prof. Director

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29193/RMU.39.3.3

Keywords:

COVID-19, BREAST CANCER, MEDICAL CARE

Abstract

Introduction: the COVID-19 health crisis had a significant impact on the management of various pathologies, including cancer. To reduce the risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2, the number of consultations was reduced, leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates for other pathologies, which has been referred to as the “second pandemic.” 
Objective: the aim of this study is to describe the clinical activity of the Breast Unit (BU) during the period March 2020-2022 and compare it with the activity during the period March 2019-2021.
Method: retrospective observational study including patients attending the BU during the period March 2019-2022.
Results: in the year before the pandemic, 30 new patients were assisted.  Regarding the time between anatomopathological diagnosis and the initiation of the first treatment: in 73.3% of cases, it was ≤ 2 months, 16.6% > 2 months and ≤ 4 months, and in 10%, it was > 4 months. During the pandemic, 50 new patients were assisted, representing a decrease of approximately 16.6% in the number of new patients attended Regarding the time between anatomopathological diagnosis and the initiation of the first treatment: in 41% of cases, it was ≤ 2 months, 33% > 2 months and ≤ 4 months, and in 25%, it was > 4 months.
Conclusion: although the BU managed to maintain its clinical activity and continuity of most treatments during the COVID pandemic, there was a reduction in the number of patients referred to the service by approximately 16.6% and an increase in the time elapsed between diagnosis and the initiation of the first treatment.

References

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Published

2023-08-21

How to Cite

1.
Camejo N, Castillo C, Amarillo D, Guerrina M, Savio F, Carrasco M, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in patients assisted at Clinicals Hospital Breast Unit . Rev. Méd. Urug. [Internet]. 2023 Aug. 21 [cited 2024 Nov. 23];39(3):e203. Available from: https://revista.rmu.org.uy/index.php/rmu/article/view/1037

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