The impact of COVID-19 on mammography screening: Trends in Türkiye between 2018 and 2023: The impact of COVID-19 on mammography screening

Mehmet Demir; Feza Demir

doi:10.28982/josam.8477

Authors

Mehmet Demir Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5031-6324
Feza Demir Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6377-1545

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.8477

Keywords:

Mammography, Breast Cancer Screening, COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background/Aim: Breast cancer screening programs are essential for early detection, but they may be disrupted during major public health crises. This study evaluated trends in mammography screening, breast biopsy numbers, and malignancy detection rates in Türkiye between 2018 and 2023, with particular attention to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This descriptive study used nationwide mammography screening data obtained from the Health Statistics Yearbooks of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health for 2018-2023. In addition, breast biopsy data and malignancy rates from the interventional radiology unit of the study center were reviewed for the same period. Annual changes were analyzed to assess the effect of the pandemic and the subsequent recovery period on breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

Results: Nationwide mammography screenings increased from 2,139,813 in 2018 to 2,252,815 in 2019 and then decreased markedly to 1,261,664 in 2020. A recovery trend was observed in 2021 (1,926,717) and continued through 2022 (2,453,042) and 2023 (2,704,397). Similarly, the number of breast biopsies decreased from 720 in 2019 to 450 in 2020, then increased to 920 in 2022 and slightly decreased to 900 in 2023. Malignancy rates increased from 24.0% in 2019 to 30.0% in 2022 and then slightly decreased to 29.0% in 2023.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted breast cancer screening and biopsy services in Türkiye. However, substantial recovery was observed in subsequent years in both screening participation and diagnostic follow-up. These findings underscore the importance of resilient health care systems and strategies that sustain cancer screening services during public health crises.

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