Should I Get My Mammogram During Coronavirus?
Mammograms are the single most effective way to detect cancer early and save lives. Therefore, if you are due for your mammogram or feel a lump, even in the midst of the pandemic, you should still get your mammogram. While you may need to postpone a routine mammogram for a month or two, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you feel a lump or are concerned about your breasts.
High Risk Options
If you are at a high risk for developing breast cancer or have discovered you have the BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 genes, you may not feel you can wait to get your cancer screening. In this case, if you are concerned about coming in, you could set up a telehealth appointment with your physician to determine your best course of action.
Cancer Survivors
If you are a cancer survivor in need of a follow up appointment, you may be able safely postpone your screening for 2-3 months without harm. Talk to your oncologist to determine if you can safely postpone any follow up.
If You’re Experiencing Breast Pain
If you’re experiencing breast pain in both breasts, it’s unlikely that it’s breast cancer. However, if you discover a lump or mass or have inexplicable pain centered in one breast, you should call your physician.
Mammogram Safety During COVID-19
Like other medical facilities, we take extra precautions to keep you safe, which include limiting the number of people allowed in our facility and requiring the use of masks for everyone who works here as well as every patient. We clean thoroughly between each person. Each person’s threshold for risk is different. For some, the risk of developing breast cancer is high enough they don’t dare miss a mammogram; for others the risk of contracting COVID-19 is too high and it’s better to postpone the mammogram for a few months. The longer the pandemic drags on, however, it will be important not to overlook your regular preventative medical care.
Having regular 3D mammograms performed by an experienced board-certified breast imaging specialist is the best way to detect abnormalities early. If you do require annual mammograms, we invite you to visit PURE Mammography on Long Island today. There is no appointment necessary; you can simply stop in at your convenience. You can also call 631-652-3424 or fill out the form on this page to learn more about PURE or to pre-schedule an appointment.