Mammogram and COVID-19 vaccination recommendation from VMH


VMH mammography recommendation ... Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiologists are recommending mammography patients to have their mammograms performed prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to wait four to six weeks after the second vaccine due to an increase in lymph node enlargements seen on mammograms. Submitted photo.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiologists are recommending mammography patients to have their mammograms performed prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.  As a result of the COVID-19 vaccination, Radiologists have noticed an increase in lymph node enlargements seen on Mammograms.

For this reason, Hospital Radiologists are recommending all mammograms are performed before receiving the vaccine, or encouraging patients to wait 4-6 weeks after the second vaccine to have the mammogram. However, it’s not a one size fits all solution, especially if there are barriers to care.

Veterans Memorial Hospital X-ray staff will be asking and recording patients’ recent vaccination history and the Radiologist will interpret their images accordingly. The primary goal is that women do not delay getting their screening mammogram, nor delay getting the COVID-19 vaccination if they are able. Ultimately, it is up to the patient to choose when they get their Mammogram.

Routine screening is so important when it comes to mammography and early detection of breast cancer.  Mammograms are very important because they look for breast cancer in women who do not have any symptoms and can detect breast cancer long before it can be felt.  The benefits of this 3D digital Mammography technology include the following:

• A 41% increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers.
• A 29% increase in the detection of all breast cancers.
• A 15% decrease in women recalled for additional imaging.

For any questions or concerns about mammograms and the COVID-19 vaccine, or to schedule a mammogram, contact the Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiology Department at 563-568-3411.