Impact of the first lockdown for coronavirus 19 on breast cancer management in France: A multicentre survey

Objective: This study examined the impact of lockdown for SARS-CoV-2 on breast cancer management via an online survey in a French multicentre setting. Material and methods: This is a multicentre retrospective study, over the strict lockdown period from March 16th to May 11th, 2020 in metropolitan France. 20 centres were solicited, of which 12 responded to the survey. Results: 50% of the centres increased their surgical activity, 33% decreased it and 17% did not change it during containment. Some centres had to cancel (17%) or postpone (33%) patient-requested interventions due to fear of SARS-CoV-2. Four and 6 centres (33% and 50%) respectively cancelled and postponed interventions for medical reasons. In the usual period, 83% of the centres perform their conservative surgeries on an outpatient basis, otherwise the length of hospital stay was 24 to 48 h. All the centres except one performed conservative surgery on an outpatient basis during the lockdown period, for which. 8% performed mastectomies on an outpatient basis during the usual period. During lockdown, 50% of the centres reduced their hospitalization duration (25% outpatient /25% early discharge on Day 1). Conclusion: This study explored possibilities for management during the first pandemic lockdown. The COVID-19 pandemic required a total reorganization of the healthcare system, including the care pathways for cancer patients. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that the lockdown for SARS-CoV-2 affected breast cancer management, with some healthcare institutions having to cancel or postpone patient surgeries, while others increased surgical activity. During the lockdown period, most centers performed conservative surgeries on an outpatient basis, and some institutions reduced the length of hospital stay for patients.