ANÁLISE DO RASTREAMENTO DE CÂNCER DE MAMA AO LONGO DA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19 NO PERÍODO DE 2018 A 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Female breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer in the country and in all Brazilian regions, and when diagnosed early and treated appropriately, it presents a good prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, globally affected the early diagnosis of numerous diseases through restrictive measures to contain the virus spread in the years 2020 and 2021, including the diagnosis of breast cancer. Objective: To analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the performance of mammograms in Brazil and its consequences on the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Methodology: Retrospective, descriptive, and cross-sectional study from 2018 to 2021. Epidemiological data were obtained from the Cervical and Breast Cancer Information System (SISCAN), which is part of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). Results: Regarding the number of mammograms performed during the period from 2018 to 2021, in the "pre-pandemic" years, the upward trend from previous years continued, maintaining a relatively stable number of mammograms. However, the arrival of the pandemic had a discernible impact on mammography rates. In 2020, the year when restrictive measures began, there was a sharp decline of 40% in the total number of exams performed, breaking the previous trend. In 2021, there was a slight increase in the number of mammograms compared to the previous year, but it did not return to the number of mammograms from the years before the pandemic. Conclusion: There was a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of mammograms and, consequently, on the screening and early diagnosis of breast cancer.