Impact of COVID-19 in early breast cancer management: a summary of the current evidence

Abstract

Purpose: An Expert Panel on Breast Cancer and COVID-19 was convened to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for early breast cancer management. Methods: In order to ensure the most clinically relevant information was addressed, essential information was drawn from several of the latest national and international guidelines and another technical document. The Expert Panel met in five virtual closed sessions from November 2020 to May 2021 to consult on the relevant data from evidence-based results. The data gathered were discussed on an online platform (Within3 ®). Results: This paper reports the Expert Panel’s highlights of these meetings’ discussions. In addition, it provides practical recommendations covering topics regarding diagnosis, treatment, and management of breast cancer patients in clinical settings routinely encountered by HCPs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: It was provided guidance on several topics regarding eBC management amid the COVID-19 pandemics to inform safer care practices.