Rate and reasons of missed screening mammography in the COVID-19 pandemic from Turkey

Abstract

Aim: While screening mammography has been interrupted in many countries during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns, less is known about missed mammography screening and its reasons in the later periods of pandemic. In this study it was aimed to find out the rate and the reasons for missed mammography screening, and the associated factors in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Method: In this single center, cross-sectional observational study women who underwent mammography screening between September 1st to October 1st 2021 (15 months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic) were recruited. A questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study was used to assess the participant characteristics, whether a screening mammography has been missed during pandemic and its reasons. Results: The sample comprised of 144 women with a mean age of 50.2±8.0. Most of the sample were married and had children, 34.0% had chronic diseases. Ninety women (62.5%) misssed a screening mammography in the pandemic. Having equal or less than primary school education was associated with higher delay in mammography screening when compared to being having higher education (OR=2.26, 95%CI= 1.09- 4.69, p=0.027). Fear of COVID-19 transmission (92.2%) was the most common reason for missed mammography screening. Conclusion: This study firstly demonstrated that most of the women delayed their screening mammography after the lockdown periods in the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey and having equal or less than primary school education was associated with higher missed screening rates than having higher education levels. Effective solutions are needed to address the reasons for missed mammography screening to reduce breast cancer related morbidity and mortality both for this pandemic and for regular times.