• Over the 20 weeks following March 11, 2020, the volume of screening mammograms fell 58%, while diagnostic mammograms fell 38%.¹

• A study in Washington State found the number of screening mammograms done between April and December 2020 dropped by 49% compared to the same period the year before.³

• It is estimated that delayed and missed screenings will likely increase breast cancer deaths by 7.9% to 9.6%.²

DECREASE IN SCREENINGS

• 49.2% in White patients

• 53.9% in Black patients

• 54.5% in Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander patients

• 60.9% in American Indian/Alaska Native patients

• 64.2% in Latinx patients

TAKE-HOME POINTS

1. A substantial deficit of missed breast cancer screenings may worsen preexisting disparities.
2. The differences by race/ethnicity reflect the effect of worry, competing priorities, limited access, and disproportionate burden and socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 in underserved communities.
3. Healthcare systems should leverage COVID-19–related community outreach and engagement to develop concerted efforts that ensure preexisting disparities do not worsen among communities with higher risk.³

Read the full study in JAMA at bit.ly/JAMA_COVID19.