A systematic review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Breast cancer care has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review aims to describe the observed pandemic-related changes in clinical and health services outcomes for breast screening and diagnosis.

Methods

Seven databases (January 2020-March 2021) were searched to identify studies of breast cancer screening or diagnosis that reported observed outcomes before and related to the pandemic. Findings were presented using a descriptive and narrative approach.

Results

Seventy-four studies were included in this systematic review; all compared periods before and after (or fluctuations during) the pandemic. None were assessed as being at low risk of bias. A reduction in screening volumes during the pandemic was found with over half of studies repo

SUBMITTER: Li T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9813855 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature