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. 2022 Nov;31(6):e13668.
doi: 10.1111/ecc.13668. Epub 2022 Aug 11.

Factors associated with adjuvant systemic anti-cancer treatment discontinuation for early breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

Elinor R Gatfield  1 , Adam Bataineh  2 , Bara El Kurdi  3 , Mukesh B Mukesh  1 , Suat W Loo  1
Affiliations

Factors associated with adjuvant systemic anti-cancer treatment discontinuation for early breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

Elinor R Gatfield et al. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: The Covid-19 pandemic led to challenging discussions between oncology clinicians and patients regarding additional risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 infection whilst receiving systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT). We assess the potential factors affecting discontinuation of adjuvant early breast cancer treatment during the pandemic.

Methods: Data were collected on all patients with early breast cancer undergoing adjuvant SACT, between 16 March and 17 April 2020 at a single UK cancer centre. Univariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed on variables including age, recurrence risk, Index of Multiple Deprivation decile, presence of physical comorbidities, modality of treatment (neoadjuvant or adjuvant), type of treatment (cytotoxic chemotherapy or monoclonal antibodies), percentage of cycles completed and availability of alternative treatments, with a binary dependent variable on treatment discontinuation.

Results: Sixty-two patients with early breast cancer were identified: 18 receiving neoadjuvant and 44 adjuvant therapies. Median age was 57.5 years (range 31-75 years). Age (P = 0.02), percentage of treatment cycles completed (P = 0.014) and presence of alternative treatment options (P = 0.019) were significant factors for SACT discontinuation during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Conclusion: Factors affecting patients' decisions to discontinue SACT for early breast cancer during the Covid-19 pandemic were elucidated, which may help identify patients requiring additional support.

Keywords: Covid-19; adjuvant treatment; breast cancer; discontinuation factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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