Breast cancer management pathways during the COVID-19 pandemic: outcomes from the UK 'Alert Level 4' phase of the B-MaP-C study
Authors
Dave, R. V.Kim, B.
Courtney, A.
O'Connell, R.
Rattay, T.
Taxiarchi, V. P.
Kirkham, J. J.
Camacho, E. M.
Fairbrother, P.
Sharma, N.
Cartlidge, C. W. J.
Horgan, K.
McIntosh, S. A.
Leff, D. R.
Vidya, R.
Potter, S.
Holcombe, C.
Copson, E.
Coles, C. E.
Cutress, R. I.
Gandhi, Ashu
Kirwan, Cliona C
Affiliation
The Nightingale Breast Cancer Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M23 9LT, UKIssue Date
2021
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: The B-MaP-C study aimed to determine alterations to breast cancer (BC) management during the peak transmission period of the UK COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impact of these treatment decisions. Methods: This was a national cohort study of patients with early BC undergoing multidisciplinary team (MDT)-guided treatment recommendations during the pandemic, designated 'standard' or 'COVID-altered', in the preoperative, operative and post-operative setting. Findings: Of 3776 patients (from 64 UK units) in the study, 2246 (59%) had 'COVID-altered' management. 'Bridging' endocrine therapy was used (n = 951) where theatre capacity was reduced. There was increasing access to COVID-19 low-risk theatres during the study period (59%). In line with national guidance, immediate breast reconstruction was avoided (n = 299). Where adjuvant chemotherapy was omitted (n = 81), the median benefit was only 3% (IQR 2-9%) using 'NHS Predict'. There was the rapid adoption of new evidence-based hypofractionated radiotherapy (n = 781, from 46 units). Only 14 patients (1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during their treatment journey. Conclusions: The majority of 'COVID-altered' management decisions were largely in line with pre-COVID evidence-based guidelines, implying that breast cancer survival outcomes are unlikely to be negatively impacted by the pandemic. However, in this study, the potential impact of delays to BC presentation or diagnosis remains unknown.Citation
Dave RV, Kim B, Courtney A, O'Connell R, Rattay T, Taxiarchi VP, et al. Breast cancer management pathways during the COVID-19 pandemic: outcomes from the UK 'Alert Level 4' phase of the B-MaP-C study. Br J Cancer. 2021.Journal
British Journal of CancerDOI
10.1038/s41416-020-01234-4PubMed ID
33767422Additional Links
https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41416-020-01234-4Type
ArticleLanguage
enae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1038/s41416-020-01234-4