(Ventura County, California) Cancer doesn’t stop for COVID-19. It’s still important to maintain healthy habits to reduce your risk of cancer even if you spend more time at home to prevent transmitting or catching the coronavirus.
Whether or not you’ve previously faced a cancer diagnosis, it’s important to pay attention to changes in your body and symptoms that may indicate a need for medical intervention.
“The risk today to go to a doctor’s office or diagnostic center for a cancer screening is very low,” said Dr. Thomas Fogel, a radiation oncology specialist and member of the CMH staff. Dr. Fogel advises people to talk to their doctor to learn which screenings they are due or overdue for, which screenings they need now, and which screenings can wait. Routine screenings include mammograms, pap smears, colon cancer screenings, PSA tests, general physical exams, blood tests and annual skin cancer exams.
“The bottom line is engaging with the health system is safe,” Dr. Fogel said. “Everyone is taking the necessary precautions. In addition to screening the patients, we are screening the staff. The best thing to do is have a consultation with your doctor which can be done through telemedicine in a phone call or video conference.”
To share the latest clinical recommendations for preventing cancer during the pandemic, Community Memorial Health System is hosting a free virtual presentation at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11. Medical experts leading this free virtual presentation on Zoom will share:
- Whether routine cancer screenings should be continued or postponed during the pandemic.
- The importance of early detection.
- Alternative testing options that may be available.
- Screening done safely, such as wearing a mask and asking the screening facility about precautions they have taken to protect patients.
- The role of diet and physical activity in cancer prevention.
This virtual presentation is free but registration is requested. Please register at this link: cmhshealth.org/rsvp. The event is sponsored by the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation, https://www.cmhfventura.org/.
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