Is it Safe to Schedule My Mammogram During the Covid-19 Pandemic?

Everyone knows that breast cancer does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or even social status. And, it certainly didn’t pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. It affects and kills indiscriminately. That’s why women, now more than ever, need to be proactive about protecting their health and remember to get back on schedule for their routine mammograms with their healthcare provider. Going into a hospital or healthcare facility for your mammogram is safe, and the most effective screening tool for detecting breast cancer.

Unfortunately, many women who delayed their mammograms during the pandemic, fearful of contracting coronavirus, are now finding themselves with delayed diagnoses. These diagnoses, in some cases, requiring treatments and adding stress to their lives that could have otherwise been avoided, if detected sooner with a routine mammogram. It’s important to note that studies have found that when breast cancer is found through screening, it’s more survivable than breast cancer that’s discovered through a lump or other symptoms.

Now, as the pandemic slowly moves past, doctors are encouraging women who either missed their screenings or who need to schedule their annual mammogram, do so, immediately. Many medical experts will tell you that as long as you’re not feeling sick, or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, it’s very low risk to enter a hospital or medical facility for a cancer screening, such as a mammogram.

Hospitals across the country have gone the extra mile to make sure that their facilities are safe for staff, patients, and visitors alike.

For example, most hospitals:

• Perform health and temperature screenings at the entrance.
• Require anyone entering to wear a face covering.
• Increased cleaning and sanitizing practices throughout.
• Limit seating and space seating out across the office.
• Have visitor restriction policies in place in order to reduce potential infection rates.

Women at 40 years of age should schedule their first mammogram, which is the recommended age to begin routine breast cancer screenings annually. Women who are at a higher-than-average risk for breast cancer should speak with their healthcare provider, to discuss qualifying for earlier, more frequent, or more intensive screenings.

Remember, mammograms save lives, so make your health a priority, and schedule your mammogram today!