Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening in Taiwan

• Published in: Breast (Edinburgh) 2020-12, Vol.54, p.52-55
• Main Authors: Tsai, Huei-Yi, Chang, Yu-Ling, Shen, Cheng-Ting, Chung, Wei-Shiuan, Tsai, Hui-Ju, Chen, Fang-Ming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast cancer screening; Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis; Breast Neoplasms - epidemiology; Communicable Disease Control - methods; Community-Institutional Relations; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; Delivery of Health Care - organization & administration; Delivery of Health Care - trends; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Early Detection of Cancer - statistics & numerical data; Early Detection of Cancer - trends; Female; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Mammography; Mammography - methods; Mammography - statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; Needs Assessment; Outreach; Public Health; SARS-CoV-2; Short Communication; Taiwan - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0960-9776; 1532-3080
• DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2020.08.014

The breast cancer screening program has continued in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our nationwide data showed that the total number of screenings decreased by 22.2%, which was more pronounced for in-hospital examinations (−37.2%), while outreach showed a 12.9% decrease. This decline in screening participation happened at all levels of hospitals, more significantly at the highest level. Our report revealed that outreach services could maintain relatively stable breast cancer screening under this kind of public health crisis. Building a flexible, outreach system into the community might need to be considered when policymakers are preparing for future possible pandemics. •Breast cancer screening programs continue in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic.•In-hospital screening rate decreased significantly during the pandemic.•Outreach screening rate decreased but maintained a relatively stable amount of services during the pandemic.