Should I have a Mammogram during a Pandemic?
It is "Pink October" once again, but this time it comes with a pandemic. We all have been so stressed out and preoccupied with so many other worries for the past 7 months, that we have been neglecting our routine screenings.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that delayed diagnoses due to the pandemic could result in 10,000 additional deaths from breast and colorectal cancers in the next 10 years.
The healthcare community has seen that many patients are fearful to go to medical facilities and hospitals over concerns of catching an illness. The result is a delay in care and the possibility of diagnosing cancer at a later stage.
So, what should you do? You should certainly seek an immediate evaluation from your doctor if you have ANY of these breast symptoms:
-nipple discharge
-redness or warmth
-lump or pain
If you are a healthy individual, especially if you are under the age of 65, you should be seeing your healthcare providers like you normally do each year. If you are at high risk for complications of Covid, you may be able to have a virtual visit with your doctor to see what the next step should be.
Most healthcare facilities are taking extra precautions to keep patients safe. At our office, we are: questioning all those entering the building, enforcing wearing a mask, sterilizing all surfaces and equipment after each patient, and adhering to social distancing.
We are available to perform your mammogram at our Clay Street office location Monday through Friday. It is typically a quick 15 minute procedure performed by the mammography technician, and read remotely by the board certified radiologist. Call 407-644-5371 to schedule your appointment.