Among the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is a stunning drop in cancer screenings, including breast cancer.[1] One study found that breast and cervical cancer screenings fell by 94 percent in March compared to the 2017-2019 averages. [2] And experts are worried that even as the world is opening up, some women will still be loath to return for their screenings.
They are also warning that these delayed and skipped screenings could lead to more late-stage – and deadlier – cancers once screenings resume.[3] It’s not a minor worry; cancer screenings, including mammograms, were already low, particularly in minority populations like African Americans and Hispanics.[4]
That’s critical given that the American Cancer Society reports that screening and early detection, which translates into early treatment, has helped reduce breast cancer deaths by about 20 percent in recent years. And for every 1,000 screening mammograms, five breast cancers are detected.[5]
COVID-19 is not going away. It will be at least a year, possibly longer, before we have a vaccine.[6] While it made sense for women at average or low risk of breast cancer to delay their mammograms a few months during the height of the pandemic, it doesn’t anymore. [4]
Mammography centers are well aware that women are scared (many of us were already scared of mammograms before we ever heard the words “COVID-19”).[7]There’s also concern about capacity as people start flooding back for their screenings.[8]
Indeed, mammography programs have been preparing for their reopening since the day they restricted mammography and other non-urgent studies. That’s why they have strict protocols in place to ensure both you and the staff are protected.
Precautions include seeing non-COVID-19 patients in separate parts of the hospital; spacing out appointments; limiting the number of people in the waiting room (some centers may ask you to wait in your car and then call you when they’re); adding disinfecting protocols, and having the staff wear masks. Patients, too, will have to wear masks and practice appropriate social distancing. You may even have your temperature taken. Of course, if you have any signs of illness – cough, fever, body aches, lost sense of taste and smell – cancel your appointment! [9],[10],[11],[12]
The bottom line is that nothing these days is risk free. You have to weigh the risk of contracting COVID-19 every time you step out of your house. But you also have to weigh the risk of having a breast cancer diagnosed in later stages, when treatment might not be as effective.
You don’t have to make this decision alone, however. Call your doctor. The two of you can figure it out together.
[1] Delayed Cancer Screenings. Epic Health Network Research. May 4, 2020. https://ehrn.org/delays-in-preventive-cancer-screenings-during-covid-19-pandemic/. May
[2] EPIC Health Research Network. Preventive Cancer Screenings During COVID-19 Pandemic. May 1, 2020. Available at: https://ehrn.org/wp-content/uploads/Preventive-Cancer-Screenings-during-COVID-19-Pandemic.pdf
[3] EPIC Health Research Network. Preventive Cancer Screenings During COVID-19 Pandemic. May 1, 2020. Available at: https://ehrn.org/wp-content/uploads/Preventive-Cancer-Screenings-during-COVID-19-Pandemic.pdf
[4] Knoll MA. Why You May Not Want To Delay Your Mammogram During The Coronavirus Pandemic. Forbes. May 11, 2020. https://www.forbes.com/sites/miriamknoll/2020/05/11/delaying-your-mammogram-during-coronavirus-yay-or-nay/#47f3e1ca17a0
[5] American Cancer Society. Cancer Prevention & Early Detection; Facts & Figures 2019-2020. www.cancer.org › content › dam › cancer-org › research
[6] LaFave S. What Will It Take To Develop A Vaccine For COVID-19? Hub. Johns Hopkins University. March 26, 2020. Available at: https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/26/covid-19-vaccine-development-ruth-karron/
[7] Whelehan P, Evans A, Wells M, Macgillivray S. The effect of mammography pain on repeat participation in breast cancer screening: a systematic review. Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2013;22(4):389-394.
[8] Gantz S. Another coronavirus side effect: Cancer screenings are down and doctors are worried. Philadelphia Inquirer. May 6, 2020. https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-cancer-screening-delays-mammogram-colonoscopy-20200506.html
[9] Ganz S. Is it safe to go to my doctor’s office? Your questions answered. Philadelphia Inquirer. May 13, 2020. https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-doctors-office-questions-20200513.html
[10] Brabaw K. Is it Safe to Get a Mammogram During COVID-19? Here’s What Ob-Gyns Say. Health. May 28, 2020. https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/is-it-safe-to-get-a-mammogram-during-covid
[11] Canadian Association of Radiologists. Radiology Resumption of Clinical Services. https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2798337-1&h=4004283653&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcar.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FCAR-Radiology-Resumption-of-Clinical-Services-Report_FINAL.pdf&a=Radiology+Resumption+of+Clinical+Service+Report
[12] Society of Breast Imaging. SBI Recommendations for a Thoughtful Return to Caring for Patients. https://www.sbi-online.org/Portals/0/Position%20Statements/2020/SBI-recommendations-for-a-thoughtful-return-to-caring-for-patients_May-5-2020.pdf.
*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Percent of women aged 40 and over who had a mammogram within the past 2 years. 2015 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2017/070.pdf
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