Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening in Taiwan

Abstract

The breast cancer screening program has continued in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our nationwide data showed that the total number of screenings decreased by 22.2%, which was more pronounced for in-hospital examinations (-37.2%), while outreach showed a 12.9% decrease. This decline in screening participation happened at all levels of hospitals, more significantly at the highest level. Our report revealed that outreach services could maintain relatively stable breast cancer screening under this kind of public health crisis. Building a flexible, outreach system into the community might need to be considered when policymakers are preparing for future possible pandemics.

Keywords: Breast cancer screening; COVID-19; Mammography; Outreach.

Fig. 1

Screening data stratification by the hierarchy of hospitals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of screenings decreased in all the four levels of hospitals, more pronounced in medical centers. The lines show the proportion of outreach service increased in 2020 in the first three levels of hospitals.

Fig. 2

Screening data stratification by age of the participants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of screening mammographies decreased in all age levels and the proportion of outreach services increased.