Are you one of the thousands of people across the country that had to delay a health screening due to COVID-19? If so, you’ll want to reschedule it as soon as you can.
Delaying important health screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, can lead to late detection. Early detection of diseases gives individuals the best chance for positive health outcomes. Keeping up with your medical appointments is critical, even in the midst of a global pandemic.
Stephanie Repole, MD, a Bon Secours breast surgeon in Hampton Roads, VA, understands that people are concerned about the spread of this virus. Because of that, they may feel hesitant to visit health care facilities at this time. However, she wants to emphasize that it’s important not to delay care.
“I’ve seen a couple of patients who felt something in their breasts toward the beginning of the pandemic, and I’m only seeing them now instead of diagnosing them earlier on,” she shares.
Maybe you have an appointment coming up that you’re feeling nervous about. Or maybe you have not yet rescheduled an appointment that was cancelled due to COVID-19. Whatever you do, don’t delay!
“No one particularly wants to get a mammogram, definitely no one wants a colonoscopy,” Dr. Repole explains. “But these are very important tests.”
All Bon Secours facilities are taking ample precautions to protect patients, including physical distancing measures, environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a screening process for everyone who wishes to enter a facility. In addition, all employees, patients and individuals accompanying a patient must wear masks and sanitize their hands.
Bon Secours remains a safe place to seek care. We are ready to provide safe, high-quality care so you can continue to be there for those who count on you.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At Bon Secours, we encourage women to stay up to date on their screening mammograms.
You can schedule your mammogram with us in one of three ways:
- Through your MyChart account
- Talk to your Bon Secours primary care provider
- Reach out to one of our screening centers
