Skip to main content
search

Check Ups During COVID

With COVID case numbers on the rise, waiting out the virus and postponing necessary visits to your doctor is not an option. Comprehensive Cancer Centers stresses the importance of regular health screenings are vital in finding cancers and other illnesses early. Early detection usually leads to better treatment outcomes.

What’s also important is paying close attention to health issues and being sure not to ignore them out of fear of getting a positive COVID test. While no one wants to test positive, and such results can be inconvenient and even life threatening, as with any health issue more information sooner, is critical. If you feel symptoms similar to COVID, get a test and confirm or refute whether you have the virus, or if it could be something else that would need immediate attention.

Another important part of being watchful for your health during COVID is understanding that its symptoms can be indicators for other illnesses. It is important for people to advocate for their own health if something that appears like COVID, but is not, and it lingers.

A recent example of how a symptom can appear like COVID but can actually be something else was recently reported in Newsweek. The story shares how a young woman was initially denied a further evaluation appointment with a doctor, due to her cough being mistaken for COVID. She eventually had her Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosed after she insisted on additional exams, including an x-ray, which detected the issue.

Treated by the team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a relatively rare form of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system produces infection-fighting white blood cells. It represents about one half of one percent of all new cancer cases in the U.S., and predominantly affects young adults.

The National Cancer Institute estimated that there would be approximately 8,830 new cases of Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021. While the disease is rare, other lymphomas exist that have similar signs and symptoms as COVID. These can include enlarged lymph nodes, swollen abdomen, feeling full after eating a small amount of food, chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath or cough, fever, weight loss, night sweats and fatigue.

The earlier lymphoma is diagnosed, the better the chances of survival. According to the NIH, the five-year relative survival rate for people diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at the first stage of the cancer’s development is 92.2%. While the treatment success rate drops to 78.5% for people who are diagnosed when it is at the more advanced stages. Ignoring signs and symptoms elevates health risks unnecessarily.

With that in mind, if signs and symptoms appear that can look like either COVID but could potentially be lymphoma or other cancers, Comprehensive again encourages people to remove all doubt by starting with a COVID test, and moving on to more thorough examinations, should COVID tests return negative.

Make Sure to Take Your Health Seriously

Just as with lymphoma, additional risks for health issues remain during COVID. Don’t let signs and symptoms of cancer to go undiagnosed or untreated. Cancer is serious and can be curable if caught early. If you are diagnosed, don’t skip follow up appointments or treatments such as chemotherapy. Comprehensive encourage everyone to continue taking care of their personal health during these continually uncertain times.

Comprehensive Cancer is Here to Help

If you have cancer, a blood issue, require sleep medicine, or have issues with your lungs, the practice is ready to help. Comprehensive Cancer Centers has evolved patient care to ensure patients are safe as possible during the pandemic. Our medical team’s priority is to provide needed care, while protecting the safety of our patients and our staff.

If you are reluctant to get help in a clinic, the practice offers telemedicine as an option. These virtual consultations are for new and existing patients, as clinically appropriate, as well as managing post-treatment follow-up visits, and cancer treatment side effects. Telemedicine offers convenience and safety, and the opportunity to initiate and continue effective care.

Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for patients with cancer, serious blood disorders, breast health conditions, pulmonary disease and sleep disorders. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, please call 702-952-3350.

 

The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Close Menu