Why you may want to reschedule your mammogram after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine
Dr. Andrea Porpiglia, of Fox Chase Cancer Center, joined Good Day Philadelphia to talk about why you should wait to get mammograms if you are planning to get the coronavirus vaccine.
PHILADELPHIA – Health officials are advising women seeking mammograms to schedule them before receiving the first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
So, what is the concern with having a mammogram directly after receiving the vaccine COVID-19?
Dr. Andrea Porpiglia, Assistant Professor at Fox Chase Cancer Center, met with Alex Holley and Mike Jerrick of FOX 29 to talk about this important health information.
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“What we are seeing are women who have had the COVID vaccine, we are seeing some enlarged lymph nodes. What is a normal response to the vaccine. Our concern is that we do not want women to worry or do unnecessary biopsies or imaging because of that” , said Dr. Porpiglia.
“We are recommending it to women, if you know you are getting the COVID vaccine, try a screening mammogram before that. Otherwise, if you have had the vaccine, wait four to six weeks later. That way, you avoid the evaluation. unnecessary, “added Dr. Porpiglia.
“It seems that some people are having such a hard time getting an appointment for a vaccine, so they probably want to keep it. So as long as you report it and let them know. But, should it take four to six weeks? If not, that’s a big problem? “Alex Holley of FOX 29 asked.
“Usually not. And if you are having breast problems, if you are having breast pain, you feel a mass, you should not delay the mammogram because of the vaccine,” replied Dr. Porpiglia.
She added that you should make sure to disclose that you received the vaccine if you are not comfortable with delaying the mammogram.
“Okay, I’m not in medicine. So, you’re going to have to go a little deeper for me. What’s this about lymph nodes?” Mike Jerrick of FOX 29 asked.
“The lymph nodes are – the main objective is for them to help, they house the T and B cells that help us fight the infection. So when you get the vaccine and you are building an immune response and producing these antibodies, the lymph nodes will naturally increase. So this is a normal response that we would expect to see with the vaccine, “replied Dr. Porpiglia.
“So you can think, ‘Oh, do I have a lump?'” Asked Jerrick.
“Correct,” said Dr. Porpiglia, and added, “You can feel it, in both vaccine studies, they saw it in patients. And it goes away. However, if the lymph node persists, if you feel the mass underneath of the arm, then you should examine it. “
“Is there a difference between the first and the second dose, for you?” Jerrick asked.
“No, then it was seen after both. You can see after the first and the second dose. However, we see more patients after the second dose ”, commented Dr. Porpiglia.
For more information on coronavirus vaccines in your state, visit our coronavirus vaccine page.
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