Implementation of breast cancer continuum of care in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hagar I ElghazawyJoaira BakkachMohamed S ZaghloulAtlal AbusanadMariam Mohamed HusseinMohamed AlorabiNermean Bahie EldinThanaa HelalTarek M ZaghloulBhanu Prasad VenkatesuluHesham ElghazalySana Al-SukhunPublished in: Future oncology (London, England) (2020)
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. The current COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented challenge leading to care disruption, which is more severe in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) due to existing economic obstacles. This review presents the global perspective and preparedness plans for breast cancer continuum of care amid the COVID-19 outbreak and discusses challenges faced by LMIC in implementing these strategies. Prioritization and triage of breast cancer patients in a multidisciplinary team setting are of paramount importance. Deescalation of systemic and radiation therapy can be utilized safely in selected clinical scenarios. The presence of a framework and resource-adapted recommendations exploiting available evidence-based data with judicious personalized use of current resources is essential for breast cancer care in LMIC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keyphrases
- quality improvement
- healthcare
- palliative care
- radiation therapy
- public health
- emergency department
- pain management
- primary care
- climate change
- early onset
- squamous cell carcinoma
- electronic health record
- type diabetes
- pregnant women
- skeletal muscle
- metabolic syndrome
- adipose tissue
- clinical practice
- health insurance