Last Updated on 2021-03-01 , 9:04 am
There are many things that we’re looking forward to doing after getting the vaccine. But I’m pretty sure chiong-ing to schedule a mammogram screening wasn’t on the list.
According to The Straits Times, doctors are advising patients not to go for a mammogram screening right after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. This is because the vaccine leads to swelling lymph nodes which could be confused for symptoms of breast cancer.
We always see “lymph nodes” get thrown around, but what exactly is a lymph node? A lymph node is an organ that filters foreign particles including cancer cells, helping the immune system to function properly.
For instance, both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccine trial caused swollen lymph nodes on those vaccinated, with the latter seeing 14% of recipients developing such symptoms.
They typically last from 7 to 10 days, as reported by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Ministry of Health has noted that the Pfizer vaccine, which causes swollen lymph nodes on the neck or arms, usually gets better by itself after a week.
The American Society of Breast Surgeons recommends that women should consider doing their mammogram or ultrasound screenings before taking the first vaccine dose, or four to six weeks after the second dose.
Breast surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Dr Tan Yah Yuen, also chimed in advising that women who are in cancer remission should also discuss with their doctor whether they will be able to reschedule their mammogram or ultrasound screening.
Additionally, they should try to get the vaccine shot on their opposite arm to avoid any confusion and alarm.
As such, all patients who have received the Covid-19 vaccine have been informed to reschedule their check-ups.
Dr Ong Kong Wee, medical director of K W Ong Breast and General Surgery Clinic, agrees with the preventative measures. He points out that doing so would prevent patients from undergoing more “extensive and invasive tests”, such as a needle biopsy.
As reported by ABC7 News, doctors are concerned that women will decide to skip such screenings due to the inconvenience. They add that women must stay on top of such health maintenance to allow for early detection.
If you would like to read more about the effects of Covid-19 vaccines, click here.
Featured Image: Miriam Doerr Martin Frommherz / Shutterstock.com
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