Breast Cancer Screenings Should Not Be Delayed Due to COVID-19

10/1/2020

Early detection and treatment supports the best possible outcomes

Breast cancer and other medical illnesses remain a risk for women - even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, due to concerns about the virus, many women have postponed their annual screening mammograms, increasing their risk of undetected cancer. Tennova Healthcare - Clarksville is encouraging women who may have delayed their mammograms to schedule the screening now, because when breast cancer is detected early, life-saving treatment can begin immediately.

“Do not postpone regularly scheduled mammograms, diagnostic mammograms, and other cancer screening during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Gina Wyatt, radiologist. “Delays in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, can make it harder to treat breast disease and breast cancer effectively. It's important to continue having these types of tests during this COVID-19 pandemic, so your doctors can detect early changes or signs of cancer.”

Early Detection Saves Lives

Nearly all breast cancers can be treated successfully if found early. The most effective way to detect breast cancer at an early, treatable stage is to have yearly mammograms. Since mammography became widely used in the 1980s, the U.S. breast cancer death rate in women has dropped 43 percent.

Here in Tennessee, female breast cancer was one of the most frequently occurring cancer sites for women in 2017, the most recent year data is available.

The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommend that all women, particularly African American and those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, should have a risk assessment at age 30 to see if a screening earlier than age 40 is needed. Women who were previously diagnosed with breast cancer are recommended to be screened with magnetic resonance imaging, an MRI.

For women of average risk, the ACR and SBI recommend annual mammograms starting at age 40, with no upper age limit as long as the woman is in good health. A screening mammogram can help detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.

Safety Measures to Protect Against COVID-19

For the protection of patients and staff, Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville is pre-screening all patients for any COVID-19 symptoms, limiting appointments to maintain social distancing, requiring staff and patients all wear masks and cleaning commonly touched surfaces with greater frequency.

Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville provides screening and diagnostic tools, including digital mammography and computer-aided detection in one convenient location. The goal of our licensed and specially trained radiologic technologists is to make your breast health convenient, comfortable and reassuring. To schedule your mammogram call (931) 502-1180.

The Tennova Healthcare - Clarksville Breast Health Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology.

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