COVID-19 Vaccines and Mammograms: What Women Need to Know

During the pandemic as women got their COVID-19 vaccines near the time of a mammogram, some important information emerged about scheduling this annual breast cancer screening. Learn how to avoid a false positive or confusing mammography result by noting the following guidelines when you get a COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Immune Response

The COVID-19 vaccines can cause temporary inflammation and swollen lymph nodes in the armpit on the side where the vaccine is injected. And that is a good thing! It is the body’s natural response and means your immune system is doing its job to provide protection from the coronavirus. 

Swollen Lymph Nodes and Mammograms

The one down side is that the enlarged lymph nodes can show up on a mammogram, leading to a false positive or confusing result. Women would need to return for a follow-up mammogram and ultrasound, and could become unnecessarily alarmed about a potential breast cancer diagnosis. If the lymph node is still abnormal at the diagnostic evaluation, follow up would be recommend in 12 weeks. The extra imaging and follow up can lead to unnecessary testing, anxiety and costs. 

Scheduling Your Mammogram

Because of this, unless you are experiencing symptoms, such as a suspicious lump, we recommend you schedule your screening mammogram either:

• Before receiving receiving Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen single-dose vaccine or the first dose of the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax vaccines, or
• 4 weeks after your second shot (Moderna, Pfizer, Novavax) or single shot (Johnson & Johnson)
• However, if you get a booster vaccine, continue with your screening mammogram as originally due. Do not delay just because you received a booster vaccine.

Mammography Recommendations

Always talk with your doctor about when to begin mammogram screenings and how often to repeat them. Women at average risk of breast cancer should follow these guidelines:

• Women who are 40 years old: May begin yearly screening with a mammogram.
• Women over 40: Get a mammogram every year.
• Women 55 and older: Continue with an annual mammogram or switch to a mammogram every other year until your life expectancy is less than 10 years.

Mammography is the best breast cancer screening tool available. Mammograms save lives and can be conveniently scheduled online. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is also important and is recommended for people six months of age and older. Just keep in mind appropriate scheduling to avoid unnecessary anxiety and testing.