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Breast cancer remains the second most common cancer in women and has the second highest incidence of death, according to the CDC. Although mammograms can be a vital step in early detection for women, some women are now postponing mammograms after doctors notice a puzzling side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine: swelling of the lymph nodes showing in mammograms of women recently vaccinated.
According to Dr. Abisola Olulade, a board-certified family physician affiliated with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group in San Diego, Calif., “Side effects are actually a good thing and a sign that your immune system is responding well to the vaccine. “
She continues, “They usually go away after a few days. However, breast cancer can also cause the lymph nodes under the armpit to swell. The mammogram may not be able to distinguish between swollen lymph nodes from the vaccine and cancer. For this reason, some have suggested waiting 4-6 weeks after your last dose of the vaccine before having a mammogram. However, I recommend that you discuss this with your doctor for advice before canceling or postponing your mammogram.
But the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are just one of the many reasons a woman may want to wait for a mammogram. For starters, you might be too young if there isn’t an increased risk of breast cancer in your family. the story. The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk choose to have a mammogram between the ages of 40 and 44. At age 45, women should have a mammogram every year, then at age 55 and over, one every two years, or continue to have one every year – her choice. A woman should then continue to have mammograms as long as she is healthy and expected to live another 10 years.
“In asymptomatic patients with an average risk of developing breast cancer, screening mammography is not recommended before the age of 40,” explains Dr Olulade. “In this age group, patients have increased breast density and mammography is not as effective at detecting breast cancer. There may also be a risk of false positives in this context. Women are considered to be at medium risk if they do not have a significant family history of breast cancer or a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, if they have never had breast cancer before or chest radiotherapy before the age of 30. It is always best to determine your risk with your doctor before the age of 30. “
For those who are still unsure about breast cancer symptoms and when they should be looked at, Dr Olulade describes the most common mammograms myths below.
Mammograms cause cancer. It’s actually a common myth that I hear. Mammograms use very small doses of radiation and the risk of harm is extremely low. The benefit of cancer detection outweighs the extremely low risk of damage from radiation exposure.
You do not need to have a mammogram if no one in your family has had breast cancer. Many patients are falsely reassured that no one in their family has had breast cancer. This is no reason not to have the mammogram. Family members may not have their regular screening, and family history is not the only risk factor for breast cancer. In fact, most women with breast cancer do not have a family history of this type.
It’s embarrassing to have a mammogram. Because mammograms involve imaging of the breasts, many women feel shy about having this test. However, this is done in a very private setting and with qualified professionals. Every effort is made and should be made to make the patient feel comfortable. Don’t let your fear of being embarrassed keep you from having a mammogram. You should take pride in taking care of yourself when trying to have a mammogram. Remember, early detection saves lives.
Having a mammogram is extremely painful. Different people have different pain thresholds, but a mammogram involves little or no pain for most people and if it is painful it is usually only painful for a short period of time.
Getting a mammogram is scary because they “are going to find something scary.” Many people avoid testing because they fear something may be found. But we must remember that most screening tests are normal and early detection is important. It’s better to find something early than to wait and find something later, which can be much more difficult to deal with.
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