Introduction The present analysis aims to evaluate the consequences of a 2-month interruption of mammographic screening on breast cancer (BC) stage at diagnosis and upfront treatments in a region of Northern Italy highly affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Methods This retrospective single-institution analysis compared the clinical pathological characteristics of BC diagnosed between May 2020 and July 2020, after a 2-month screening interruption, with BC diagnosed in the same trimester of 2019 when mammographic screening was regularly carried out. Results The 2-month stop in mammographic screening produced a significant decrease in in situ BC diagnosis (−10.4%) and an increase in node-positive (+11.2%) and stage III BC (+10.3%). A major impact was on the subgroup of patients with BC at high proliferation rates. Among these, the rate of node-positive BC increased by 18.5% and stage III by 11.4%. In the subgroup of patients with low proliferation rates, a 9.3% increase in stage III tumors was observed, although node-positive tumors remained stable. Despite screening interruption, procedures to establish a definitive diagnosis and treatment start were subsequently carried out without delay. Conclusion Our data showed an increase in node-positive and stage III BC after a 2-month stop in BC screening. These findings support recommendations for a quick restoration of BC screening at full capacity, with adequate prioritization strategies to mitigate harm and meet infection prevention requirements. Highlights • Due to the COVID19 pandemic, several mammographic screening services were disrupted. • A 2-month stop in BC screening led to decreased in situ BC and increased node-positive and stage III BC diagnosis. • A major impact was on the subgroup of patients with BC at high proliferation rates. • Despite screening interruption, procedures to start treatments were subsequently carried out without delay. • Restoration of BC screening at full capacity with infection prevention requirements is recommended.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Breast cancer, stage at diagnosis, mammographic screening, 【초록키워드】 Treatment, SARS-CoV-2, Tumor, COVID19, pandemic, Diagnosis, Italy, virus, Characteristics, Infection prevention, Coronavirus-2, retrospective, Analysis, proliferation, Support, significant decrease, restoration, definitive diagnosis, stage III, recommendation, mitigate, consequence, Result, produced, affected, evaluate, carried, remained, diagnosed, increase in, subgroup of patient, 【제목키워드】 Treatment, Diagnosis, COVID, Impact, significantly,