Utilization of a rapid diagnostic centre during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced diagnostic delays in breast cancer

Gary Ko; Sangita Sequeira; David R McCready; Sharmy Sarvanantham; Nancy Li; Shelley Westergard; Vrutika Prajapati; Vivianne Freitas; Tulin D Cil

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2022.09.051

Utilization of a rapid diagnostic centre during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced diagnostic delays in breast cancer

Am J Surg. 2023 Jan;225(1):70-74. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2022.09.051. Epub 2022 Oct 3.

Authors

Gary Ko¹, Sangita Sequeira¹, David R McCready², Sharmy Sarvanantham¹, Nancy Li¹, Shelley Westergard¹, Vrutika Prajapati¹, Vivianne Freitas³, Tulin D Cil⁴

Affiliations

¹ -Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
² -Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; -Division of Surgical Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
³ -Joint Department of Medical Imaging, Breast Division, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁴ -Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; -Division of Surgical Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: Tulin.Cil@uhn.ca.

Abstract

Background: Access to breast imaging was restricted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the impact of healthcare restrictions on the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre (GRDC) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients seen at the GRDC between March 12 - August 31, 2020 and the corresponding period from 2019 was performed.

Results: There was an 18.6% decrease in patients seen at the GRDC (n = 429 in 2020 vs. 527 in 2019). Time from the first abnormal breast image to diagnosis was significantly shorter (17.4 days [IQR 13.0-21.8] in 2020 vs. 25.9 days [21.0-30.8] in 2019; p = 0.020) with no appreciable difference in time from diagnosis to consult or from consult to surgery.

Conclusion: The GRDC enabled patients with concerning breast symptoms to access breast imaging, which helped to ensure timely treatment during the first wave of the pandemic.

MeSH terms

Breast Neoplasms* / diagnosis
COVID-19*
Delayed Diagnosis
Female
Humans
Pandemics
Rapid Diagnostic Tests