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Background Health disparities among minority groups, especially African Americans, can limit their access to quality medical care and lead to disproportionate medical management and disease outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the COVID-19-related change in mammogram volumes and cancer detection at two affiliated academic breast centers, one that serves a predominantly African American patient population and one that serves a predominantly non-African American patient population. Materials and methods For the purpose of anonymity, racial demographics were collected and the center with a higher African American patient population was designated as institution A, while the center with a higher non-African American patient population was designated as institution B. Careful selection of the two breast centers was instituted in order to limit the impact of potential confounders other than race. An Institutional Review Board (IRB) exemption was obtained and two Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) reports were generated; one for March 2020 through September 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and one for March 2019 through September 2019 to serve as the pre-pandemic control group. The i2b2 Query Analysis Tool® was used to obtain racial demographic data and compare the percent change in screening and diagnostic mammograms, image-guided biopsies, total cancers diagnosed by imaging, and percent of minimal cancers for both institutions. Results Screening mammograms and breast cancer detection decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 at both institutions. However, the percent change from 2019 to 2020 was greater at institution A than at institution B. Percent minimal cancers, an indicator of early-stage breast cancer also decreased more drastically at institution A than at institution B. Interestingly, the total number of diagnostic exams and image-guided biopsies increased in 2020 at institution B, whereas both decreased at institution A. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic may lead to worsening racial disparities in breast cancer screening. In an effort to narrow future disparity, it is crucial for radiologists and other health care providers to be aware of this inequality and educate all women on the importance of obtaining routine screening mammography. More studies are needed.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a source of postoperative morbidity for breast cancer survivors. Lymphatic microsurgical preventive healing approach (LYMPHA) is a technique used to prevent BCRL at the time of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). We report the 5-year experience of a breast surgeon trained in LYMPHA and investigate the outcomes of patients who underwent LYMPHA following ALND for the treatment of cT1-4N1-3M0 breast cancer. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with T1-4N1-3M0 breast cancer was performed in patients who underwent ALND with and without LYMPHA. Diagnosis of BCRL was made by certified lymphedema therapists. Descriptive statistics and lymphedema surveillance data were analyzed using results of Fisher’s exact or Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Logistic regression and propensity matching were performed to assess the reduction of BCRL occurrence following LYMPHA. RESULTS: In a 5-year period, 132 patients met inclusion criteria with 76 patients undergoing LYMPHA at the time of ALND and 56 patients undergoing ALND alone. Patients who underwent LYMPHA at the time of ALND were significantly less likely to develop BCRL than those who underwent ALND alone (p=0.045). Risk factors associated with BCRL development were increased patient age (p=0.007), BMI (p=0.003), and, in patients undergoing LYMPHA, the number of positive nodes (p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: LYMPHA may be successfully employed by breast surgeons trained in lymphatic-venous anastomosis at the time of ALND. While research efforts should continue to focus on the prevention and surveillance of BCRL, LYMPHA remains an option to reduce BCRL and improve patient quality of life.