Implementation of breast cancer continuum of care in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Future Oncol. 2020 Nov;16(31):2551-2567. doi: 10.2217/fon-2020-0574. Epub 2020 Jul 27.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. The current COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented challenge leading to care disruption, which is more severe in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) due to existing economic obstacles. This review presents the global perspective and preparedness plans for breast cancer continuum of care amid the COVID-19 outbreak and discusses challenges faced by LMIC in implementing these strategies. Prioritization and triage of breast cancer patients in a multidisciplinary team setting are of paramount importance. Deescalation of systemic and radiation therapy can be utilized safely in selected clinical scenarios. The presence of a framework and resource-adapted recommendations exploiting available evidence-based data with judicious personalized use of current resources is essential for breast cancer care in LMIC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; breast cancer; coronavirus; low- and middle-income countries; pandemic.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / economics
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 / transmission
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Communicable Disease Control / standards
  • Continuity of Patient Care / organization & administration*
  • Developing Countries
  • Female
  • Health Plan Implementation / economics
  • Health Plan Implementation / organization & administration
  • Health Resources / economics*
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology / economics
  • Medical Oncology / organization & administration*
  • Medical Oncology / standards
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Patient Selection
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity
  • Triage / organization & administration
  • Triage / standards
  • Workforce / economics
  • Workforce / organization & administration