Some doctors have observed a slight increase in abnormal mammography images coinciding with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, as this vaccine may cause swelling of the lymph nodes under the arm while the body starts to build protection against the virus.
Experts say this pattern is indeed concerning, but it is harmless and considered one of the common side effects of most vaccines. Dr. Holly Marshall, a diagnostic radiologist at Cleveland University in Ohio, told the Miami Herald, "We have seen swollen nodes for the past two weeks, which is actually a natural response of the body upon receiving vaccines. This means that the body is producing antibodies to fight the COVID-19 infection."
The swollen lymph nodes are scientifically referred to as axillary lymphadenopathy, and when examining mammography images, they can easily be mistaken for breast cancer. Dr. Marshall stated, "There is swelling in the lymph nodes in cancer patients, and that is a concern there. Therefore, we ask everyone who undergoes mammography if they have received the COVID-19 vaccine, what dose they received, and when they received it."
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that more than 11% of those who received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine experienced lymph node swelling after the first dose, and 16% experienced this after the second dose, while the Pfizer vaccine also caused pain in the lymph nodes.
Patients typically experience lymph node swelling 2-4 days after receiving the vaccine, and the swelling should subside within two to four weeks. Dr. Marshall noted that if symptoms persist, patients should be further evaluated by healthcare professionals.
