Dataset Information

Delayed Breast Cancer Detection in an Asian Country (Taiwan) with Low COVID-19 Incidence.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic delayed breast cancer diagnosis in Taiwan, an Asian country with a low COVID-19 incidence.

Methods

The monthly volume of breast biopsies and breast cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic (during January 21 and July 31, 2020) was compared to the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID-19).

Results

Taiwan recorded a lower COVID-19 incidence rate (20.2 cases per million population) than other Asian countries. The screen-detected lesions accounted for 55% and 36% of 2019 and 2020 total biopsied lesions, respectively. Total breast biopsy, mammography-guided, and ultrasound-guided biopsies decreased by 17%, 23%, and 14%, respectively, from pre-COVID-19 to COVID-19. Monthly differences were significant in total biopsy (p=0.03), mammography-guided biopsy (p=0.04), and a benign pathology result after breast biopsy (p<0.01). Nearly 46% decline was noted in the biopsy results of non-invasive breast cancer in 2020. The number of total breast cancers and early breast cancers (stages 0 and 1) decreased by 10% and 38%, respectively, during pandemic. Individuals with early breast cancer accounted for 71% and 49% of the total diagnosed breast cancer in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods, respectively (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The pandemic significantly delayed early breast cancer detection in Taiwan despite low COVID-19 incidence.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04750018.

SUBMITTER: Chou CP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8326285 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Delayed Breast Cancer Detection in an Asian Country (Taiwan) with Low COVID-19 Incidence.

Chou Chen-Pin CP Lin Huey-Shyan HS

Cancer management and research 20210728

<h4>Purpose</h4>To assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic delayed breast cancer diagnosis in Taiwan, an Asian country with a low COVID-19 incidence.<h4>Methods</h4>The monthly volume of breast biopsies and breast cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic (during January 21 and July 31, 2020) was compared to the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID-19).<h4>Results</h4>Taiwan recorded a lower COVID-19 incidence rate (20.2 cases per million population) than other Asian countries. The screen-detected lesions acc ...[more]

PMID: 34349563

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Dataset Information

Delayed Breast Cancer Detection in an Asian Country (Taiwan) with Low COVID-19 Incidence.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Clinical trial registration

Publications

Delayed Breast Cancer Detection in an Asian Country (Taiwan) with Low COVID-19 Incidence.

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