A Survey of the Impact Lockdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic on the Volume of Patients Accessing Breast Cancer Care in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted cancer care, among others and increased the suffering of breast cancer (BC) patient owing to the imposed lockdown. This is study investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the volume of BC patients accessing care in a poor resource setting. Methods: We surveyed general surgery units (GSU) in Northcentral and Southwestern Nigeria during the first lockdown in April/May 2020. Using an electronically mailed questionnaire, we requested data on patients accessing clinics, chemotherapy and definitive surgery before and during lockdown. The data were analyzed and presented in descriptive statistics using SPSS v 20 and Microsoft Excel software. Results: Among the 22 GSUs, only 5(23%) prepared for maintaining oncology or breast cancer services during the lockdown. Compared to the volume before the lockdown, 15(60%) GSUs received <30% of the usual volume of new cases, 16 (73%) received <30% of the usual of patients chemotherapy patients and no patient accessed definitive surgery in 15 (68%) GSUs. Conclusion: There was a marked reduction in the volume of BC patients accessing outpatient clinics, chemotherapy facilities, and definitive surgery during the COVID-19 lockdown