In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended healthcare systems delay elective care, including surgeries, screenings, and other treatments not considered urgent or emergencies. Hospitals began limiting services to protect people from being exposed to COVID-19 and to save resources for very sick patients.
In one case, a woman diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma at the beginning of the pandemic had her surgery delayed. Although it was initially scheduled for March, doctors postponed her surgery until early June. Broadly speaking, breast reconstruction surgery was one of the first surgeries to get halted in the beginning. This type of surgery was deemed elective and non-urgent.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there are still delays in breast cancer treatment, also known as a “pandemic pauses.” You may see more time go by before you get chemotherapy or mastectomies. Your doctor will look at your specific diagnosis, though, and decide the safest treatment that works around the pandemic.
You may even receive a different treatment plan than what you would have before the pandemic. Medical professionals are trying to limit in-person appointments and have moved to a telehealth approach. Consequently, there are fewer in-person visits for chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Interacting with those treating you can be different during a “pandemic pause” because you can’t get the same physical support from your nurses or doctors. There is no hugging or maskless visits. You may feel more disconnected during this time. It’s important to remember, though, that your caregivers support you just as much now as they did before. Telehealth appointments can also feel cold and unsupportive, but know that this is to keep everyone safe.
One specific question you might ask yourself is if you should even continue undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. As hospitals fill up and resources get reserved for COVID-19 patients, you may wonder if it’s safe for you to go to the hospital. This is something you can discuss with your doctor. They’ll help you determine the right treatment plan and whether or not you should take a “pandemic pause.” As the world adapts to COVID-19, more protocols are in place to protect you from the virus.
Whether or not you’ve taken a “pandemic pause” in treatment, though, your care has likely been affected by the pandemic. The best thing you can do for your health is to continue communicating with your doctor and oncologist, lean on support from your friends and family, and take all precautions against contracting COVID-19.
For further reading, check out an article about a breast cancer survivor and the pandemic pause here.
