Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Breast Cancer Patients—Based on the Results of the Web Questionnaire Survey—

Abstract

Objective : To investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer patients and examine the medical care for breast cancer under the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Methods : A web questionnaire survey was conducted twice with online members of the association of patients diagnosed with breast cancer to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the medical care of breast cancer, daily life, employment, and mental health. The first survey was conducted in April 2020 after the state of emergency declaration, while the second was in December 2020 after the COVID-19 third wave.

Results : The impact of the infection spread on the medical care of breast cancer was observed in 25% and 15% of the patients in the first and second surveys, respectively. Both surveys revealed that approximately 25% of the patients were put off from hospital visits based on their own judgment. Approximately 95% of the patients experienced a high fear of infection for themselves or family members, and 26% postponed their routine cancer checkups. For mental health assessment, the results of the K6 Japanese version demonstrated high severity of depression and anxiety disorder, especially in patients belonging to adolescent and young adult generation and those living in single-person households.

Conclusion : Based on the web questionnaire surveys, the impact of the COVID-19 infection spread on the medical care of breast cancer could be understood from the patients' perspective. In the future, appropriate medical care and psychological support are necessary for these patients in the coronavirus era.