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COVID-19 and Cancer Screening

Information for patients and health professionals
Breast

Screening mammography services are available in BC. Find answers to common questions below.

 
The COVID-19 vaccines do not cause breast cancer. However, there is some emerging evidence that COVID-19 vaccines can cause an abnormal screening mammography result for benign reasons (i.e. not due to cancer). This is mostly due to the temporary enlargement of lymph nodes caused by the COVID-19 vaccine, which is not dangerous, and how they appear on a mammogram. We are monitoring this evidence in addition to our own program data. We are also currently encouraging people to continue cancer screening during the pandemic. For those planning to make a breast screening appointment, we recommend that you proceed with booking and we will document your vaccination history at the time of your screening appointment.

 

Screening mammography services are available in BC.

 

BC Cancer Breast Screening is committed to ensuring the safety of patients and health care providers during screening mammography appointments. We have introduced several measures that support safe cancer screening:


  • Patients will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entering the breast screening centre.

  • Screening centres may have special instructions for arriving at your appointment, such as not arriving too early for your appointment. This is to encourage physical distancing and to reduce the number of patients inside the centre at one time.

  • To support physical distancing, screening centres will rearrange waiting areas and allow for more time between appointments.
  • Mammography equipment and exam rooms will be frequently cleaned and sanitized in accordance with provincial guidelines.
  • To minimize the time you are in the waiting room and to help stop the spread of germs, paper information surveys have been temporarily discontinued.
  • Health care staff will also be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect you and others.
  • Health care staff are instructed to remain at home and not come to work if they are sick.
  • Hand sanitizer and/or handwashing stations will be available.
  • Un-scheduled, "walk-in" appointments will not be accommodated at this time.

 

A mammogram requires the technologist to place your breast on a special x-ray machine. The technologist will need to come close to you for a small amount of time to help position you to obtain the best images possible. All technologists will be wearing PPE to ensure your safety.‎

 

 

Please bring your own medical mask, if you have one, to your appointment. Health care staff will also be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect you and others.

 

 

There may be longer than usual wait-lists for appointments as screening centres catch up on previously canceled appointments.


Screening centres are operating with extended hours to ensure that they can catch up on previously canceled appointments in a safe manner. We appreciate your patience during this time.


Breast screening is a non-urgent test for those with no symptoms. It is very important that you reach out to your health care provider right away if you notice any new changes in your breast(s).

 

Screening aims to find cancers early before there are symptoms. Returning for screening on a regular basis, when you receive your reminder notice, helps to minimize your risk of breast cancer. However, a delay in regular screening mammograms for those women with no breast symptoms is unlikely to cause serious harm to most patients, particularly if the delay is only a matter of months.  The risk will gradually increase with further delay, but we encourage everyone to consider all their health concerns prior to returning to screen.


If you notice any new changes in your breast(s) please see your health care provider right away.

 
Please visit the clinic locator to see when the mobile unit is coming to your community.

To ensure patient safety and the safety of health care staff, the mobile mammography units are operating a modified schedule aimed at reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Measures are in place to support safe cancer screening:

  • The mobile units will have enhanced cleaning and sanitization on a regular basis.
  • Only one patient at a time will be permitted within the mobile vehicle.
  • Un-scheduled, "walk-up" appointments cannot be accommodated at this time. Please call 1-800-663-9203 if you would like to book an appointment.
  • Health care staff will also be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect you and others.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available.

 

Yes. To protect the health of patients and health care staff, patients will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entering the breast screening centre. In most cases, COVID-19 screening will consist of a series of questions asked by health care staff.

 

You will receive your results within approximately three weeks. If your result is abnormal, you will be contacted directly by a diagnostic facility for follow-up.

 

If you have an abnormal result, the Breast Screening Program will refer you to a diagnostic facility for further follow-up. The diagnostic facility will provide you with more information regarding your follow-up procedure date.

 

Breast screening is a non-urgent test for those with no symptoms. It is very important that you reach out to your health care provider right away if you notice any new changes in your breast(s).‎

 

 

Breast Screening Program eligibility, guidelines, and processes have not changed.


Colon
FIT is available in labs throughout the province. Find answers to common questions below. 

You can call 1-877-702-6566 if you have questions or visit this website at any time for updates.

 

 

FIT kits are available in labs in BC. If you have a requisition for FIT, you can go to the lab to pick one up. If you no longer have your requisition for FIT, please contact the Colon Screening Program at 1-877-702-6566.


If you've never screened for colon cancer and are eligible, please contact your primary care provider to discuss whether the FIT is right for you. They can provide you with a requisition to pick up a free FIT kit from the lab.

 

Please visit the website of your preferred lab for any COVID-19 related procedures or instructions.‎

 

 
Please contact your health authority for questions related to your colonoscopy procedure.

 
BC Cancer Colon Screening is committed to ensuring the safety of both patients and health care providers during colonoscopy appointments.

Before your appointment:
  • The health care team in your community will contact you by phone regarding pre-colonoscopy assessment and scheduling. They will inform you of any COVID-19 related procedures or instructions for your appointment.
During your appointment:
  • Patient areas have been rearranged to support physical distancing.
  • Health care staff will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect you and others.
  • Cleaning protocols are strictly followed to ensure patient safety.

 
Colonoscopy can help you get ahead of cancer. An abnormal FIT result means that blood was found in your stool, and investigating the cause of the bleeding is important. Attending your scheduled colonoscopy appointment now helps to minimize your risk of colon cancer. Delaying your colonoscopy appointment following an abnormal FIT result can increase your risk of colon cancer.

 

Screening is only recommended for people who are not experiencing symptoms.


Symptoms can include blood in your stool, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss. If you are experiencing these symptoms, talk to your health care provider about the diagnostic testing you may need to determine the cause of these symptoms. FIT is not appropriate for people with these symptoms.

 

Reminder notices for screening have resumed.


Patients with canceled appointments at health authority facilities will be contacted directly by the facility regarding re-booking.


Patients with symptoms should be referred directly to a specialist for assessment. FIT is not required.

 
You can call 1-877-702-6566 if you have questions or visit this website at any time for updates.


Cervix

Cervix screening is being affected by the COVID-19 situation in BC. Find answers to common questions below.

 

Please check with your health care provider for the availability of Pap tests at their office or clinic.


Speak with your health care provider immediately if you are experiencing symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding (such as bleeding in between periods, bleeding during/after sex or after menopause), abnormal or persistent vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during sexual intercourse.

 


 
 

‎Screening is only recommended for people who are not experiencing symptoms.


Symptoms for cervical cancer can include abnormal vaginal bleeding (such as bleeding in between periods, bleeding during/after sex, or after menopause), abnormal or persistent vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during sexual intercourse. If you are experiencing these symptoms, please speak with your health care provider. 


 
 

The Cervical Cancer Screening Laboratory continues to process any Pap samples it receives and sends primary care providers the results.


‎Primary care providers can expect higher-than-normal lab processing times and a normal capacity for downstream colposcopy procedures throughout the province. Current turnaround times for Pap test results can be found here.

 

Colposcopy clinics are accepting referrals as normal and booking patients for follow-up. Patients who have been recommended for colposcopy should be referred.

 

Patients with significant symptoms including post-coital bleeding, persistent intermenstrual bleeding, and/or a persistent vaginal discharge that cannot be explained by benign causes such as infection should have a speculum examination by someone with experience in cervical disease. Referral to a colposcopist is appropriate and may be expedited if the clinical suspicion is high. A Pap test is not required for referral.


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