Open AccessGEICAM Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Breast Cancer During the COVID ‐19 Pandemic in Spain
Author(s) -
Martin Miguel,
GuerreroZotano Angel,
Montero Ángel,
Jara Carlos,
Filipovich Elena,
Rojo Federico,
Moreno Fernando,
GarcíaSáenz Jose Ángel,
Alés Jose Enrique,
Chacón José Ignacio,
Cruz Josefina,
Gimenez Julia,
CruzMerino Luis,
Algara Manel,
Santisteban Marta,
Tarruella Sara López
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0363
Subject(s) - medicine , pandemic , context (archaeology) , breast cancer , health care , covid-19 , intensive care medicine , scientific evidence , medline , medical emergency , family medicine , cancer , disease , paleontology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , biology , economic growth , philosophy , epistemology , political science , law
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women in Spain. During the COVID‐19 pandemic caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, patients with BC still require timely treatment and follow‐up; however, hospitals are overwhelmed with infected patients and, if exposed, patients with BC are at higher risk for infection and serious complications if infected. Thus, health care providers need to evaluate each BC treatment and in‐hospital visit to minimize pandemic‐associated risks while maintaining adequate treatment efficacy. Here we present a set of guidelines regarding available options for BC patient management and treatment by BC subtype in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Owing to the lack of evidence about COVID‐19 infection, these recommendations are mainly based on expert opinion, medical organizations' and societies' recommendations, and some published evidence. We consider this a useful tool to facilitate medical decision making in this health crisis situation we are facing. Implications for Practice This work presents a set of guidelines regarding available options for breast cancer (BC) patient management and treatment by BC subtype in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Owing to the suddenness of this health crisis, specialists have to make decisions with little evidence at hand. Thus, these expert guidelines may be a useful tool to facilitate medical decision making in the context of a worldwide pandemic with no resources to spare.