In cases where someone goes to a routine checkup every year, some agencies recommend making a distinction between vaccination and breastfeeding to avoid potentially unnecessary follow-up appointments to evaluate questionable findings.
When people are vaccinated against any ailment, including COVID-19, the body’s immune response can swell lymph nodes, and it can occur when women get mammograms – but experts do not want appointments for any procedure to be interrupted.
“Right now, different large institutions are making different decisions about this, and the Society of Breast Imaging has put forward some helpful suggestions,” said Dr. Clayton Taylor, a radiologist at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. . James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
In cases where someone goes to a routine checkup every year, some agencies recommend making a distinction between vaccination and breastfeeding to avoid potentially unnecessary follow-up appointments to evaluate questionable findings.
‘That the women postpone their mammogram four to six weeks after they finish their second vaccination. Or they have their mammogram before their vaccination, ”Taylor recommended.
But, “if you are already in arrears with your selection exam or can not reschedule within the next few months, keep your mammogram appointment and keep your COVID-19 vaccination appointments,” says the Breast Imaging Association, noting that “both are very important. to ensure that you stay healthy. ”
Women should inform selectors about whether they have been vaccinated with a first or second dose, how long it has been and in what arm.
With the information, Taylor said his institution is confident it can safely interpret a mammogram.
He recommends that people go for routine checkups, follow the guidance of the facility they visit, and that people who notice anything suspicious be evaluated immediately.
‘If you have a breast problem, for example a lump in your breast, it does not matter if you have recently had a COVID vaccine; you need to see your doctor and if necessary have the breast imaging, ”Taylor said.
The pandemic has interrupted far too many preventative procedures.
“We want to try as much as possible to avoid delaying or reducing breast cancer,” Taylor said.
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