A influência da pandemia da COVID-19 na linha de cuidado do câncer de mama: análise de rastreamento, diagnóstico e tratamento

Abstract

Introduction: In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined the presence of outbreaks of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Breast cancer has a good prognosis when diagnosed early, so studies have investigated how the pandemic scenario has affected this neoplasm, reporting that screening programs were suspended and treatment proto cols modified during this period, affecting its diagnosis and treatment. Objective: to analyze the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer care in Brazil. Method: This is a descriptive ecological study that includes women who underwent a screening, diagnosis or treatment procedure for breast cancer in the period 2019 and 2020. Data were collected from the Ambulatory Information System (SIA), System Cancer Information System (SISCAN) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics through absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies. Results: There was a 43% decrease in screening mammograms, as well as a 21% decrease in diagnostic procedures. The treatment of breast neoplasms had an increase of 4%. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a predominantly negative influence on breast cancer care. Through the analysis of the data of the present study, it becomes possible for health managers to plan with as much information as possible the necessary measures to reduce the consequences of the late diagnosis of this neoplasm.