Retrospective analysis of treatment, including access to breast reconstructions, of breast cancer patients – war refugees from Ukraine in Poland – the experience of a single tertiary care institution

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Following the Russian invasion, more than 3600000 refugees have fled Ukraine and settled down in Poland; this group includes a growing number of breast cancer patients whose treatment had been started in Ukraine and hence required urgent therapy in Poland.</br></br> <b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to analyze the treatment of breast cancer patients from Ukraine, who entered Poland as war refugees – the experience of a single tertiary care institution.</br></br> <b>Material and methods:</b> The treatment of 25 consecutive breast cancer patients, war refugees from Ukraine was reviewed retrospectively.</br></br> <b>Results:</b> Patients were treated according to subtype and staging, e.g. surgery, endocrine, anti-HER2 therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy. 7 patients received an immediate implant, mesh-based breast reconstruction. In 2 cases, the patients refused breast reconstruction.</br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> Nearly 5.5 million refugees across Europe who have fled the combat zones in Ukraine; of these, the vast majority sought shelter in Poland, and many of whom are women. It is expected that breast cancer mortality rates may rise and progress in oncology may slow as the war in Ukraine disrupts routine patient care, clinical trials and research. Hence, support from neighboring countries is mandatory.