A tripartite approach can seek to optimize breast cancer management during a pandemic – Real‐Time experience of a developing breast oncology unit in Singapore

摘要

Professional societies have led the unenviable challenge of clarifying recommendations on management prioritization for breast cancer during this COVID‐19 pandemic. , , , , , Triage recommendations estimate the risk of delay‐related outcome compromise. Interventions span deferment, simplification, reorganization of treatment sequence, to pure neo‐adjuvant endocrine therapy in centers with substantial constraints. However, treatment delay can still result in disease upstage, limit surgical options, intensify neo‐adjuvant and adjuvant treatment, and decrease survival. Singapore reported its first imported COVID‐19 case on 23rd January 2020. To confront the evolving situation, Sengkang General Hospital's (SKH) breast unit mobilized a “triple algorithm” approach (Figure  ), aimed at delivering optimal breast cancer management despite pandemic constraints.