Stacey Wolfson, MD, chief resident, and Beatriu Reig, MD, MPH, clinical assistant professor of radiology, Department of Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explain the findings of a study of axillary adenopathy in mammography patients who recently had a COVID-19 vaccine. They were the lead authors of the study published in Radiology. Their study looked at 1,200 women who were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and received breast imaging exams, and they found several cancers, so their conclusion is not to wait for breast imaging after receiving a COVID vaccine or booster.
In early 2021, it was found that the COVID vaccines can cause swollen lymph nodes (adenopathy) that mimics cancer on mammograms. For this reason, women were told to hold off several weeks before getting breast imaging after being vaccinated. However, follow up radiology studies found the axillary adenopathy can last for 10 weeks or more after a COVID vaccination.
This new study suggests women should undergo screening regardless of when they are vaccinated, because cancers can otherwise go un-detected. There is fear at many women's imaging centers that women who missed their annual exams due to COVID, combined with women hold off on exams because of vaccinations, may allow cancers to grow infected and lead to a higher volume of more serious cancer cases.
Read more in the article Women do not need to delay their mammogram appointment after COVID-19 vaccination.
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Women do not need to delay their mammogram appointment after COVID-19 vaccination.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com