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. 2022 Oct 17:56:88.
doi: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056004545. eCollection 2022.

An update on the status of breast cancer screening in Brazil after the covid-19 pandemic

Jordana de Faria Bessa  1 , Guilherme Novita  2 , Ruffo Freitas-Junior  3
Affiliations

An update on the status of breast cancer screening in Brazil after the covid-19 pandemic

Jordana de Faria Bessa et al. Rev Saude Publica. .

Abstract

We have previously reported the impact of covid-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening, in Brazil: among women aged 50-69 years, mammography attendance decreased by 42% in public healthcare (SUS), comparing 2019 and 2020. In this short communication, we wish to present: a) an update of the number of mammograms performed, in 2021; b) an exploratory analysis of the characteristics of the screened population between 2019 and 2021. A total of 1.675.307 mammograms were performed in 2021, nearly 15% lower than pre-pandemic levels. Almost a third, 29.5% of them, had intervals greater than three years. In accordance with our previous study, the number of patients with palpable lumps on physical exam increased. The consequences of postponing breast cancer screening during the pandemic are still uncertain. Unfortunately, as of December 2021, screening attendance has not resumed. On the contrary, our results show an increase in the fraction of women with mammography delayed beyond three years.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure
Figure. Mammograms from public healthcare (SUS) in women aged 50–69 years, 2019–2021, Brazil.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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