Breast cancer care amidst a pandemic: a scoping review to understand the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on health services and health outcomes

Abstract

Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health services for breast cancer (BC) have been disrupted. Our scoping review examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BC services, health outcomes, and well-being for women. Additionally, this review identifies social inequalities specific to BC during the pandemic. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines, the literature search was conducted using scientific databases starting from March 2020 through November 2021. Studies were identified and selected by two researchers based on inclusion criteria, and the relevant data were extracted and charted to summarize the findings. Ninety-three articles were included in this review. Main themes included are as follows: (i) the impact of COVID-19 on BC services; (ii) the impact of COVID-19 on health outcomes and well-being in women with BC; and (iii) any variation in the impact of COVID-19 on BC by social determinants of health. There were apparent disruptions to BC services across the cancer continuum, especially screening services. Clinical repercussions were a result of such disruptions, and women with BC experienced worsened quality of life and psychosocial well-being. Finally, there were social inequalities dependent on social determinants of health such as age, race, insurance status, and region. Due to the disruption of BC services during the COVID-19 pandemic, women were impacted on their health and overall well-being. The variation in impact demonstrates how health inequities have been exacerbated during the pandemic. This comprehensive review will inform timely health-care changes to minimize long-term impacts of the pandemic and improve evidence-based multidisciplinary needs.

The role of peer support and patient navigation for empowerment in breast cancer survivors: implications for community cancer control

“…Indeed, prior data do indicate that among women diagnosed with breast cancer during and after the global pandemic, disruptions in screening and care are associated with worsening quality of life over time. 33…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women living with and beyond breast cancer: a qualitative study of women’s experiences and how they varied by social determinants of health

“…Globally, breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in women; specifically in Ireland, BC accounts for one third of all major malignancies in women [5,6]. Studies from varying countries, including Ireland, have indicated that women with a diagnosis of BC experienced disruptions to their BC care including delays, cancellations, and modifications [7]. Women with BC have also been physically, emotionally, and psychosocially challenged, resulting in reduced quality of life (QoL) [8,9].…”