COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupts Breast Cancer Screening but Increases Outreach and Awareness

Strategic Insights -

Research on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening has revealed mixed results. While regular screening was postponed or interrupted, outreach screening strategies increased, and awareness among individuals with low education levels became more prominent. The study, conducted by National Taiwan University Hospital, investigated the impact of the pandemic on breast cancer screening and diagnosis rates over a 6-year period.

Key Takeaways:

  • The pandemic led to a decrease in regular breast cancer screening, with 77,901 participants screened during the pandemic period compared to 75,403 in the pre-pandemic period.
  • Mobile screening increased significantly during the pandemic, from 89.4% to 94.9%.
  • Education level, self-examination of breasts, and family history of breast cancer were higher during the pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period.
  • Time to follow-up and time to diagnosis were significantly shorter during the pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period.
  • No significant differences were observed in positive predictive value (PPV), cancer detection rate (CDR), cancer staging, and rate of invasive carcinoma between the two periods.
  • Participants were more likely to promptly return for follow-up during the pandemic.
  • Outreach screening strategies may serve as an alternative in a future pandemic crisis.

Statistics:

  • 77,901 participants were screened during the pandemic period.
  • 75,403 participants were screened during the pre-pandemic period.
  • Mobile screening increased from 89.4% to 94.9% during the pandemic.
  • Education level was higher during the pandemic (compared to the pre-pandemic period).
  • Self-examination of breasts was higher during the pandemic (compared to the pre-pandemic period).
  • Family history of breast cancer was higher during the pandemic (compared to the pre-pandemic period).

Sources:

  • Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening: A 6-year cohort study. Journal of Medical Screening, 2025:9691413251338456.
  • National Taiwan University Hospital, Dept. of General Medicine.
  • Rui-Bin Huang, Pin-Yang Huang, Li-Ying Chen, Hsiu-Jung Wang, and Ka-Wai Tam. Journal of Medical Screening, Sage Publications Ltd, 1 Olivers Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1SP, England.
  • NewsRx. National Taiwan University Hospital Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening: A 6-year cohort study). Education Letter. May 21, 2025; p 4.