Breast Cancer Care Due to COVID-19 Fears Could Have Serious Unintended Consequences.

▴ Breast Cancer Care Due to COVID-19 Fears Could Have Serious Unintended Consequences.
Medical experts note that delaying critical healthcare, such as breast cancer treatment due to Covid-19 fear, could cost patients valuable time.

As the U.S. deals with a resurgence of COVID-19 spread, it's understandable that attention is shifting back in the direction of precautions such as limiting interpersonal contacts. However, medical experts note that delaying critical healthcare, such as breast cancer treatment, could cost patients valuable time. Cancer screenings and mammograms are equally important for early detection purposes and physicians are recommending annual screenings as necessary.

"Survey findings published recently in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment suggest that nearly half of breast cancer patients have delayed care during the pandemic," said Brian H. Chon, M.D., medical director at ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, where physicians use precisely targeted proton therapy radiation treatments as an alternative to standard radiation.

"That alarms me as a physician who treats breast cancer patients. Thanks to screening mammography, most breast cancer today are detected early with an excellent prognosis. But the time window is not unlimited, and when a patient delays care the risk increases that cancer will spread beyond the breast and make successful treatment more difficult."

The relative risks of COVID-19 vs. delaying cancer care of course vary with factors such as age and other underlying medical conditions—all of which should be discussed collaboratively among a breast cancer patient's primary care and oncology providers. However, safety measures that medical practices implement to minimize infection risk are an important consideration.

"At ProCure, we have comprehensive procedures in place that enable breast cancer patients to receive care with confidence, from enhanced cleaning protocols and social distancing practices to mask requirements and screenings for every patient and staff member entering our facility," said Tom Wang, president, ProCure Proton Therapy Center. "Additionally, our Center is an active supporter of the local American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen events, in support of breast cancer prevention, research, and finding a cure."  

Dr. Chon added that the choice of treatment is an important consideration as well.

"As the most advanced form of radiation therapy available, proton therapy targets breast tumors with a precision that reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissues," he said. "That means fewer side effects that could require additional medical care and, by extension, more contacts at a time when it remains wise to minimize contacts. With breast cancer, timely care is vital, but so is choosing the right form of care."

About ProCure Proton Therapy Center
ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Somerset, NJ, opened in March 2012 as the tri-state region's first proton therapy facility, treating a range of cancers including disease of the prostate, breast, lung, brain, head and neck, and gastrointestinal system, as well as sarcomas and many pediatric cases. Using the most advanced radiation treatment available, proton therapy at ProCure enables many cancer patients to choose a non-surgical treatment personalized to their medical needs and lifestyles, often with fewer side effects and less downtime—giving them more freedom to enjoy what matters most in their lives.

Tags : #BreastCancerDiseaseUpdates #BreastCancer #MedicalExperts #ProCure #BrianHChon #MammographyScreening #AvoidDelayingCriticalHealthcareTreatments #Covid-19Pandemic #FightAgainstVirus #PatientSafety

Related Stories

Loading Please wait...

-Advertisements-



Trending Now

Actor-Director Sathish Kaushik Died of a Heart Attack at the Age of 66March 09, 2023
Soleus Push-Ups: A Laziest Exercise to Lower Blood Sugar LevelsMarch 09, 2023
World Kidney Day 2023: Be Aware of Kidney DiseasesMarch 09, 2023
Sushmita Sen reveals about suffering from a severe heart attack recently and Addison's disease in 2014March 06, 2023
A significant increase in influenza A H3N2 patients that are accompanied by severe coughing and feverMarch 06, 2023
Is AIDS or HIV curable in Ayurveda?March 03, 2023
Artificial Sweetener Erythritol Raises the Possibility of Heart Attack.March 01, 2023
Difference between HIV and AIDS - When to give antiretroviral therapy?March 01, 2023
Zero Discrimination Day: Let's Raise the Voice Against DiscriminationMarch 01, 2023
International Women’s Day 2023 – Embrace EquityFebruary 28, 2023
Brain Tumors - Types, Symptoms and Risk FactorsFebruary 28, 2023
World Rare Disease Day: End Stigma Against Rare Diseases.February 28, 2023
National Science Day 2023 - Global Science for Global WellbeingFebruary 28, 2023
Eating disorders - Types and their complicationsFebruary 27, 2023
The condition that took away the life of Malayalam filmmaker, Joseph ManuFebruary 27, 2023
World NGO Day 2023 - We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we giveFebruary 27, 2023
Functions and Problems of SerotoninFebruary 25, 2023
Arthritis management – Tips to manage arthritis effectivelyFebruary 25, 2023
Apple has undertaken a project of no-prick blood sugar monitoring feature for its watch.February 24, 2023
Bird flu – Jharkhand on alert, know its prevention and symptoms in humansFebruary 24, 2023