Journal Article

Utilization of a rapid diagnostic centre during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced diagnostic delays in breast cancer

Sequeira, Sangita, McCready, David R., Westergard, Shelley, Sarvanantham, Sharmy, Li, Nancy, Prajapati, Vrutika, Cil, Tulin D., Freitas, Vivianne, Ko, Gary

2023

Overview

Access to breast imaging was restricted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the impact of healthcare restrictions on the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre (GRDC) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. A retrospective review of patients seen at the GRDC between March 12 - August 31, 2020 and the corresponding period from 2019 was performed. There was an 18.6% decrease in patients seen at the GRDC (n = 429 in 2020 vs. 527 in 2019). Time from the first abnormal breast image to diagnosis was significantly shorter (17.4 days [IQR 13.0–21.8] in 2020 vs. 25.9 days [21.0–30.8] in 2019; p = 0.020) with no appreciable difference in time from diagnosis to consult or from consult to surgery. The GRDC enabled patients with concerning breast symptoms to access breast imaging, which helped to ensure timely treatment during the first wave of the pandemic. [Display omitted] •The rapid diagnostic clinic ensured access to breast imaging during the pandemic.•A higher proportion of patients presented with palpable lesions.•Despite this change in presentation, there was no increase in cancer diagnoses.

• Publisher: Elsevier Inc,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Biopsy / Breast cancer / Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis / Cancer therapies / Chemotherapy / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / Delayed Diagnosis / Diagnosis / Diagnostic systems / Female / Humans / Mammography / Medical imaging / Medical referrals / Medical screening / Metastasis / Nurse practitioners / Original / Pandemics / Patients / Rapid Diagnostic Tests / Research ethics / Surgeons / Surgery