Dealing with cancer screening in the COVID-19 era

• Main Author: Fagundes,Thales Pardini
• Publication Date: 2021
• Other Authors: Albuquerque,Ronniel Morais, Miranda,Diego Lopes Paim, Landeiro,Luciana Castro Garcia, Ayres,Gabriel Souza Fontes, Correia,Caenna Corrêa e, Nogueira-Rodrigues,Angélica
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira (Online)
• Download full: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-42302021000200086
• topic: Early detection of cancer; Neoplasms; Coronavirus infections; Pandemics

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This article aims to alert health professionals for cancer screening in the face of the possibility of new waves of disease. METHODS: A narrative review was conducted through a search in MEDLINE, Lilacs, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and international medical societies publications. RESULTS: Breast cancer: in high-risk patients (confirmed familial cancer syndrome or with high-risk tools scores), clinicians should act according to usual recommendations; in average-risk individuals, consider screening with mammography with a longer time span (maximum of two years). Cervical cancer: women turning 25 years old who have already been immunized and with no previous Pap test can have the test postponed during the pandemic; if there is no previous dose of Human Papillomavirus vaccination, initiation of screening should be recommended following a more rigid approach for COVID prevention; in women over 30 years of age who have never participated in cervical screening, the first screening exam is also essential. Colorectal cancer: if the individual is at elevated risk for familial cancer, the screening with colonoscopy according to usual recommendations should be supported; if at average risk consider screening with Fecal Occult Blood Test. Prostate cancer: there is a trend to postpone routine prostate cancer screening until the pandemic subsides. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to keep cancer screening must be discussed and individualized, considering the possibility of new waves of COVID-19.