Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the breast surgery unit of a second-level hospital. Our experience

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed routine clinical activity in the last few months Because our hospital was overwhelmed and to prevent patient exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the hospital setting, consultations, diagnostic tests, and surgical interventions have been postponed However, this has provoked a delay in the care of other health problems Material and methods: We analysed and compared the data from the breast unit of a second-level hospital in terms of the activity of the Early Breast Cancer Detection Programme (EBCDP), the cancer diagnoses made, and the patients undergoing surgery from March to May, 2020, compared with the same period in the previous year Results: The number of patients attended in the EBCDP in March and May decreased by 91 7% and those attended in the Radiodiagnostics Service of the hospital fell by 54 2% Surgical activity also decreased by 57 69% compared with the same period in 2019 Conclusions: The decrease in the activity of the EBCDP and Radiology Service have led to a diagnostic delay which will, in turn, increase waiting lists and delay treatment These factors will possibly lead to tumours being diagnosed in more advanced stages © 2020 SESPM