Don’t Postpone Cancer Screening, Even During Coronavirus-Entertainment and Life-Austin 360

Just as cardiologists and neurologists are worried about postponing treatment for heart attacks and strokes during a coronavirus pandemic, oncologists skip regular cancer screenings and develop symptoms. I am worried that I will postpone my doctor’s consultation if I do.

In March and April, Texas Oncology hematologist and oncologist Dr. Miguel Albino said mammograms were reduced by 80% and colonoscopy was reduced by 90% in local clinics. Currently, he says, it’s still about one-third less screening than the clinic usually sees.

“Cancer goes beyond COVID,” he says. “If you ignore these cancer screenings and postpone them, more people will be diagnosed in stage 4. We’re already starting to see them.”

Those stages are important. “If you wait, the potential cancer will go from stage 2 to 3 in a few months, and in the aggressive form, it will go from stage 1 to 4 in even less time,” says Albino.

According to Albino, in the case of breast cancer, the cure rate for stage 1 cancer is as high as 98%, but when going to stage 4, “because of the conviction that the cancer will disappear after some treatment, We’ve moved to cancer treatment. The rest of your life … from curable to incurable and shortening your life in the coming months, “he says.

The symptoms of the cancer may be subtle and confusing, or may overlap with the symptoms of other illnesses, but if any of these occur, you should see a doctor.

• Feel a lump

• Persistent changes in bowel habits

• Persistent bloating or abdominal or pelvic pain

• Immediately full or have dietary problems

• If you have an urge to urinate more often or have difficulty urinating

• Blood in bloody stool or urine

• Bleeding after menopause, during the menstrual cycle, or after sexual intercourse

• I feel that my body feels different

• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain

• Severe pain with acute onset

• Indelible cough

“It’s very important to detect these cancers early, recognize them, treat them effectively, and keep them alive,” said a gynecological oncologist at Livestrong Cancer Institutes in UT Health Austin. One Dr. Yvette Williams-Brown said.

Early detection of ovarian cancer has a 90% survival rate, but most are found in late stage 3 or 4, according to Williams Brown.

“It’s very important to listen to the symptoms and not ignore them,” she says. Often in gynecological cancer, women are transferred from specialist to specialist, mistaken for something else.

Williams-Brown reminds people to “claim themselves” if symptoms persist.

The regular screenings you should do at home are:

• Check the skin for altered moles and freckles

• Monthly breast or testicle examination

The screenings that your doctor does or orders are:

• Skin check every year from 20s

• Blood panel every year

• A Papanicolaou test to screen women for cervical cancer every 3 years from the age of 21. From 30 to 65 years old, Pap test and DNA HPV test every 5 years, or Pap test every 3 years only. Alternatively, a high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) test is performed only every 5 years from the age of 21. After age 65, doctors weigh risk factors to determine if continuous testing is needed.

• A mammogram between the ages of 50 and 70 each year, unless the woman has a first-degree relative with cancer. Then, 10 years before the age at which the relatives were diagnosed. In some cases, annual MRI starting at age 40.

• Triennial clinical breast examinations for people in their 20s and 30s, starting at age 40 each year

• Men at high risk for prostate cancer should start screening at age 40 or 45. Prostate screening is performed annually for all men aged 50-80. Screening for the prostate includes a blood test and a finger rectal exam.

• Gum guaicum every 3 years-colonic rectal screening starting at age 45 (or earlier at high risk) using either a fecal occult blood test, a fecal immunochemical test, or fecal DNA. Alternatively, flexible sigmoidoscopy, double contrast barium enema, or virtual colonoscopy every 5 years.Or colonoscopy every 10 years until age 80

• People between the ages of 55 and 74 who have smoked should undergo CT screening for lung cancer each year.

All screening sites should take COVID-19 precautions, such as asking screening questions, measuring body temperature, having everyone, including staff and patients, wear masks, stay away in the waiting room, and wait in the car.

You can ask your doctor for recommendations on where you are taking appropriate measures, and you can see in advance what the location is doing.

“If you feel uncomfortable, go ahead and cancel the appointment, but don’t leave it alone,” says Albino. “Tell your doctor what happened.”

It will allow doctors to know that they will not refer future patients there. Ask your doctor for another option for your screening.