Raleigh, NC – Research shows that the coronavirus vaccine raises red flags on mammograms.
Between 8 and 16% of people who receive the vaccine will develop swollen lymph nodes. While swelling can be a sign that your body is responding to the virus and creating antibodies, it can also be a sign of cancer during a mammogram.
To avoid a false positive on a mammogram, The Society of Breast Imaging recommended that women be screened before being vaccinated or waiting four to six weeks after receiving the second dose of vaccine.
But Dr. Laura Thomas, a radiologist with Raleigh Radiology, discouraged women from giving up the annual check altogether during the pandemic.
“That being said, I would encourage women to have a mammogram if you have a symptom, such as breast pain or a lump,” said Thomas. “A painful piece that still needs to be checked.”
She said she had not seen the same side effects in patients receiving a flu vaccine or shingles vaccine.