Don't Let COVID-19 Stop Cancer Screening!

One of the most effective methods to combat breast cancer is early detection. Breast cancer screening tests, including mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs, were delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to studies presented at the American Association of Cancer Research Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer.

Because COVID-19 is so contagious, many hospitals and other healthcare facilities delayed or cancelled elective procedures beginning in March 2020. Elective procedures included essentially anything that was not deemed to be essentially life saving. Breast cancer screening was considered an elective procedure, so many mammograms were delayed or cancelled.

Some breast cancer surgeries and other treatments also were delayed, changed, or cancelled. A study was done by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital using an online survey to ask people about delays or cancellations of breast cancer screening or care. They also included questions about impact from COVID-19. More than a quarter of the respondents said they had experienced a delay in healthcare including almost 10% reporting a delay in treatment.

Breast cancer screening can lead to earlier detection and implementation of effective treatments with a greater chance of cure. If your annual mammogram was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, consider calling your facility to reschedule.

Protean BioDiagnostics has opened a new liquid biopsy trial in partnership with Epic Sciences, for women with recurrent breast cancer in USA and Canada.

contact info@proteanbiodx.com for more information