As the coronavirus pandemic began to spread in the U.S., many health officials urged people to avoid unnecessary medical visits, which meant delays for women's routine mammograms.
As a result, screenings were down by 94 percent in March compared to previous years, according to a study by Epic Health Research Network. Now that healthcare facilities are reopening their doors, the numbers are rising and advocates are encouraging women not to further delay their screenings.
"We can't take care of the people we love if we can't take care of ourselves," said Grammy Award-winning artist and breast cancer survivor, Sheryl Crow.
Crow said her story is one of early detection. Doctors caught her cancer in Stage 1 during a routine mammogram. Now she is promoting a 'back to screening' campaign to encourage women who delayed mammograms due to the pandemic to sign up for reminders to get them regularly. In a contest held in partnership with medical tech company Hologic, 10 participants who sign up for the notifications will get a chance to enjoy a private, virtual performance by Crow.
And while COVID-19 is still spreading, Dr. DaCarla Albright, an OB/GYN, told Cheddar she doesn't want women to feel nervous about going to get screened.
"I want people to feel reassured that it's safe to go back in and get their screening," said Albright. "They are wearing masks, padding appointments so that patients don't really have to come in contact with one another going in and out of the visit, and waiting rooms are set up with social distance rules applied."
On a lighter note, Sheryl Crow also mentioned that it was an honor that her hit song All I Wanna Do was included in former President Barack Obama's announced 2020 summer playlist.
Of the tune, she said, "It makes you want to get up and get moving and during this time isn't that what we all need. Something to put a little lift in our step."
