Inflammation side effect of COVID‑19 vaccine can cause inaccurate mammogram results

Before scheduling screening mammograms for patients, ask if they’ve received a COVID‑19 vaccine in the last four to six weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention** suggests scheduling any screening mammograms before getting a COVID-19 vaccination. Patients who already received the vaccine should schedule their screening mammogram four to six weeks after getting their complete vaccination dose, according to the CDC’s recommendation.

The COVID‑19 vaccine, similar to other vaccines, including vaccines for influenza and pneumococcus, can cause temporary swelling of lymph nodes in the underarm area, or axilla, near where a patient received the shot. The swelling may produce a false positive result on a mammogram performed too soon after the vaccine. These false positive results may lead to repeat studies and member anxiety.

Waiting for a period of time after getting the vaccine will reduce unnecessary callbacks for more diagnostic screenings and radiation exposure.

If patients ask questions about the vaccination, reassure them that:

• The COVID‑19 vaccine isn’t associated with breast cancer.
• The lymph node inflammation is normal and means the immune system is working.

If patients want more information, they can find it on the CDC’s website: COVID‑19 Vaccination and Other Medical Procedures.**

Another good source of information on this topic is from Johns Hopkins: COVID‑19 Vaccine: Can It Affect Your Mammogram Results?**

**Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan doesn’t own or control this website.