Since COVID-19 hit our shores, experts say 50 percent fewer women have been diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s really bad news.
PA Breast Cancer Coalition Founding President Pat Halpin-Murphy is not happy at all about the statistic. She knows it doesn’t mean 50 percent fewer women actually have breast cancer. It means millions of women don’t know they have it and aren’t doing anything about it.
Since the numbers of people infected with COVID-19 began mounting, people have avoided doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals, if at all possible. And they’ve put off all sorts of preventive tests, including screenings for breast cancer.
So while many may survive COVID-19, it increases their risk of dying from breast cancer.
Halpin-Murphy and Alice Sanders, the organization’s South Central Vice President, are alarmed at the number of women putting off breast cancer screenings. They sounded the alarm in their recent appearance on “Live On PennLive with Joyce Davis” as part of their efforts to educate people during Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Recent statistics clearly show people need to be reminded that breast cancer can be as deadly as COVID-19, if not detected early.
Sanders leads a special outreach to women of color in the region, and she is particularly worried about the number of Black women who are forgoing annual breast cancer screenings. Black women die from breast cancer at higher rates than white women. But now there are even more effective ways to detect the disease and save lives – if women get to the doctor and get their screenings.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer drive thru event at Capital Blue Cross. October 17, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com
“I am a breast cancer survivor,” Ruby Helen Huff boasted during the Facebook Live event.
“I have had 2 mammograms and both came out good. For those of you who have not or who are considering it. . . You should. It does not hurt,” wrote Laine Snow.
“I think self-exam is extremely important,” added Anne Potts Carson. " My mom’s mammogram missed her cancer due to dense breast tissue, but thankfully, she did regular self-exams."
Now, women like Carson’s mom who are especially vulnerable to breast cancer, can get sophisticated MRI’s that are more precise at detecting early stages of the disease.
The Market Street Bridge, and the Walnut Street Bridge are lit in green, teal and pink - the colors of *metastatic* (stage 4) breast cancer ribbon. This is done as part of the #LightUpMBC Awareness campaign on National Metastatic Breast Cancer Day. October 13, 2020 Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com
The PA Breast Coalition has been fighting hard to ensure all women in Pennsylvania are able to get the preventive screenings they need to stay healthy.
Pennsylvania now requires insurers to cover breast MRIs and ultrasounds for Pennsylvania women with very dense breasts or other high-risk factors. And low-income women can get free mammograms and treatment if cancer is detected.
So while, like COVID-19, there is still no vaccine against breast cancer, early detection saves lives. That’s why it’s really bad news that COVID-19 is scaring millions of women away from mammograms, 3-D screenings and MRIs.
We join Halpin-Murphy and Sanders in urging women over 45 years old to contact their doctors and make an appointment to get screened. Yes, COVID-19 is still a real concern, but the doctors know how to keep you safe.
Just do your part and wear a mask.
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