Doctors urge cancer screenings as COVID cases decline

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The COVID-19 pandemic caused people to cancel or delay their cancer screenings and that decrease in screenings led to more patients with advanced stage cancers.

In Louisville, doctors said they are seeing advanced cancer cases as patients return for screenings.

The top four most critical forms of cancer observed are cervical, breast, colon and lung cancer.

As National Colon Cancer Awareness Month begins in March, doctors are urging patients who have not returned for screenings to come back as cases are on the decline.

“COVID is in our rearview mirror, at least I hope for the next 6 months,” Dr. Jason Chesney, director of UofL Health Brown Cancer Center said. “This is the time to come in. You’re going to wait longer than you usually do, but you need to get it done.”

Doctors said cancer symptoms aren’t easy to spot, and health officials say the sooner they are caught, the better chance patients have for recovery.

Chesney said women who have also put off getting a mammogram during the pandemic should make an appointment immediately.

For more information on the Brown Cancer Center or to schedule an appointment, click or tap here.

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