Background and Goal: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S. Early detection of the disease through screening can greatly improve the chances of successful treatment and is an essential preventive service in primary care. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted breast cancer screening as many screening programs were temporarily suspended due to personal concerns about exposure to the virus and the burden on the health care system. The goal of this study was to use real-world electronic health records (EHR) across the U.S. to examine the changes in breast cancer screening utilization since the COVID-19 pandemic and how the follow-up screening rates were impacted by the pandemic.
Study Approach: Using the TriNetX Research Network, a global platform that connects health care organizations and researchers, offering real-time access to anonymized clinical data, the researchers retrospectively analyzed a group of 1,186,669 women eligible for breast cancer screening from Jan. 1, 2017, to Feb. 28, 2022. The researchers looked at how frequently screenings occurred each month within the study period and observed any patterns or changes in frequency. They paid particular attention to how these patterns varied before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding how often individuals returned for a follow-up screening within 24 months of their previous screening.
Main Results:
Why It Matters: The slight decrease in follow-up screening rates translates to many missed opportunities for early detection and treatment of breast cancer, which can result in late-stage diagnoses and poorer health outcomes. The disparities in adherence to follow-up screenings among older and racial minority women are concerning as they suggest a risk of increased late-stage diagnoses and mortality among these groups. Innovative strategies, such as the use of technology and community-based interventions, are needed to ensure that all women, especially those from vulnerable groups, have access to screenings.
“Understanding the medical comorbidities and social determinants that impact screening adherence in the COVID period and how that drives current gaps and disparities is crucial for family physicians and health systems to provide the best care for their patient population,” the author wrote.
Breast Cancer Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: Results From Real-World Health Records Data
Qiushi Chen, PhD, et al
The Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
PRE-EMBARGO LINK (Link expires at 5 p.m. EDT May 28th, 2024)
The Annals of Family Medicine
COVID-19 Pandemic Leads to Drop in Breast Cancer Screenings, Especially Among Older and Racial Minority Women
28-May-2024