Keep your mammogram screening during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everything. While health care workers advised everyone to proceed with their yearly screenings, many people decided to skip appointments like their mammograms.

But while many skipped their routine appointments, Deann Cook kept her mammogram at MercyOne, a decision she is thankful for.

She went to her regular mammogram appointment in March The next day, she received a call to come back.

“I knew this wasn’t like other times,” Cook shared. “My imaging navigator and radiologist were very frank with me. They showed me images they were concerned about.”

Then came their diagnosis - “We think this is an early cancer.

After the diagnosis, Cook shared with her family and friends that she had stage 1B breast cancer.

“As I started to tell those people, the first person said to me ‘I didn’t get my mammogram last year because of COVID,’” Cook said. “I learned that it was pretty common. People had skipped during COVID and they may not have had a screening in a couple of years.”

After seeing a trend of women having skipped their mammograms, she took it upon herself to share her story and how her yearly mammogram helped save her life. She posted on her Facebook a call to action for women: get your yearly mammogram.

“My texts were always filled up with people with their date and time of when they were getting their mammograms,” Cook said. “That made me feel like there was a purpose in all of this because I discovered that this story could be helpful for women to get back on track with mammograms.”

Deann says she has always been proactive and dedicated to getting annual mammograms. “It’s 10 minutes that can save your life,” she advised. “It was the key for me - going from no problem in March 2020 to early cancer in March 2021.”

Mammograms help track breast health and by receiving one every year, early detection is much more likely. The sooner cancer is found, the sooner it can be treated and cured.

“Women should be really vigilant and control any health care risks they can. A mammogram gives you some control,” said Cook. “Avoiding mammograms out of fear of a cancer diagnosis makes it more likely someone will receive a tougher diagnosis later than they would have.”

While Cook remained in control of her health by sticking to her yearly mammogram, many women have skipped or are too nervous to begin.

“I have always been the person to say you know it might be uncomfortable but it’s easy. It’s quick. It saves your life,” said Cook.

Your MercyOne primary care provider is a good source of information. They can also help you keep vital preventive screenings on-track. Talk with your provider or find an imaging location near you.

Read more about yearly mammograms