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), mammograph

SUBMITTER: Chou CP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8326285 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature