Although the COVID vaccine has been proven to be safe, it does not come without warnings: you should not use over-the-counter painkillers before you get the chance, and you should not share a photo of your vaccination card afterwards. Now experts are warning people to avoid another routine activity for at least a month after receiving the vaccine. Keep reading to find out what you need to do to get vaccinated, and for things you can do, Dr. Fauci only confirms that you can do this after being vaccinated.
The Society of Breast Imaging has just issued a statement saying that people who have recently received a COVID vaccine may be oxylary [in the armpit] swelling of lymph nodes, which may mimic a sign of breast cancer. Since the armpit lymph nodes are close to the outer breast, its face may be swollen during a breast examination. The statement sets out how professionals should document such an event, and suggests that people wait to plan their appointment to avoid unnecessary worries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), swelling in the axilla in the lymph node was found in men and women during the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine trials. Swollen lymph nodes are a common immune response found in various vaccines, including the flu vaccine, hepatitis vaccines, polio vaccine and the tetanus vaccine, according to Forbes.
“The lymphatic system is your drainage system, and they respond to inflammation,” explained hormone expert and founder of Revitalize Medical Group Tara Scott, Managing director. “Your forearms (or axillary lymph nodes) are closest to the arm – and to the chest – so that it will be visible on a mammogram.” And for more vaccine reactions to note, the CDC says that these 3 side effects mean your vaccine is working.
“The recommendation is to wait at least one month after the second shot and not to get the mammogram in between shots,” Scott said. In its statement, the Breast Imaging Association also said that it would be wise to schedule a mammogram before your vaccination. If you do, you can also rest assured if a lump forms near your armpit after you get the shot.
If you cannot get a mammogram appointment before your vaccination, the Breast Imaging Association suggests waiting “four to six weeks after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination.” And sign up for our daily newsletter for more information.
If you have a cause for concern or want to see something as soon as possible, do not delay your test. Jeffrey Hawley, MD, radiologist at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, said patients “should not delay their mammograms or COVID-19 vaccine – especially if it leads to a long delay or is not screened at all.”
If you are having a mammogram, just keep in mind that your COVID vaccine may affect the findings and warn your doctor that you have recently had the chance. And for more information on when you can get the vaccine, Biden says it’s easy to get a vaccine appointment.
A mammogram is not the only test that can catch a swollen axillary lymph node. “We see unilateral axillary adenopathy during breast augmentation, [such as] mammogram, ultrasound and breast MRI after COVID-19 vaccinations, ” Mitchell Sunny, MD, medical director of breast and women services and director of breast surgery at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, tells Forbes. “It occurs in individuals with a history of breast cancer as well as no history of breast cancer.” Mitchell said breast radiologists use short-term follow-ups and repeated imaging to assess the situation before recommending a biopsy, if the lump is related to the COVID vaccine.
Rebecca Gamms, Managing Director, Chest Radiologist of Hackensack Radiology Group / Hackensack University Medical Center, tells Forbes they “recommend a follow-up exam over 2-3 months so that the lymph nodes can return to normal.” To prevent this situation from occurring frequently, Gamms said they follow the Breast Imaging Association’s recommendation to schedule mammograms before or four to six weeks after a COVID vaccination. And for more information on the availability of vaccines, it’s who can get the remaining vaccine at Walgreens, CVS and Walmart.