Mammograms Down 90% At Massachusetts General Hospital — Practical Guidance For Women Who Need A Mammogram During COVID-19

“Our breast imaging volumes are 10% of what they were pre COVID-19,” says Dr. Connie Lehman, Chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “In line with conversations and plans for ‘reopening’ of services curtailed during the early phase of the pandemic, many breast imaging centers have now resumed some level of screening mammography or are preparing to resume soon.”

5 Tips On Staying Safe While Getting A Mammogram

1. Try to book appointments early in the morning when people are working to avoid crowds
2. Wear a mask and gloves
3. Wash hands once entering and leaving the hospital carry hand sanitizer
4. Remain six feet distance from other patients
5. Ask hospital staff how often they are sanitizing equipment and keeping the facility safe

“Centers offering screening mammography should continue to be vigilant to reduce risk of COVID-19 spread, both for the best interests of our patients as well as our hospital health care workers,” Dr. Lehman says. “At Mass General, we are continuing to practice best methods for social distancing, plastic shields, face masks, regular cleaning of equipment and rooms, frequent hand sanitization, reduced contacts between patients and staff, and restricted use of waiting rooms as we welcome our patients back for their health care needs. We prescreen patients for symptoms so that we can identify in advance patients that might be COVID positive. For those women, we can review whether it is best to wait till the patient's COVID status is clarified before having a screening exam.”

Dr. Connie Lehman explains when women should get mammograms

The Importance Of Mammograms For Breast Cancer

Mammograms are needed regardless of your family history because most women with breast cancer have no family history or other identifiable risk factors. Getting mammograms regularly at the recommended intervals can help spot early signs of anything that may be potentially harmful. This way, you and your doctor can address them right away. However, for women who fit into the high-risk category, meaning they have a first-degree relative who has had breast cancer, have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, or had radiation to the chest area when you were young, you should start yearly mammogram screening as early as age 30.

“If you haven’t gone through menopause yet, I think it’s very important that you have a mammogram every year,” Dr. Lehman tells SurvivorNet in a separate interview. “We know that cancers grow more rapidly in our younger patients, and having that annual mammogram can be lifesaving.”

Dr. Lehman is correct when she says mammograms can be life-savers for many people. Despite leading a healthy lifestyle and having no family history of breast cancer, survivor Cynthia Besteman told SurvivorNet that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram.

Breast cancer survivor Cynthia Besteman says “the wind was knocked out of her” after her diagnosis

Many women may be concerned over their health during COVID-19, and fear that a possible breast cancer diagnosis will be delayed, but Dr. Lehman tells SurvivorNet that medical teams are still working hard to provide care.

“While the devastating impact of COVID-19 is clear, we are confident we will emerge stronger and more resilient, and wiser on how we can continue to support our patients for the full spectrum of their healthcare needs even in times of pandemics,” Dr. Lehman says.

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