Implementation of breast cancer continuum of care in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic
Recommended Citation
Elghazawy H, Bakkach J, Zaghloul MS, Abusanad A, Hussein MM, Alorabi M, Eldin NB, Helal T, Zaghloul TM, Venkatesulu BP, Elghazaly H, and Al-Sukhun S. Implementation of breast cancer continuum of care in low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future Oncol 2020.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-27-2020
Publication Title
Future Oncol
Abstract
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.
PubMed ID
32715776
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
