Officials with Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital sat down late Wednesday afternoon to discuss the importance of maintaining good breast health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.facebook.com/HenryMayoHospital/videos/846025332562841/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

On Wednesday, Dr. Bud Lawrence, Medical Director of Henry Mayo’s Emergency Department, and Dr. Dortha Chu, a breast surgeon with City of Hope, took to Facebook Live to talk about maintaining good breast health while the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the country.

“It’s been an interesting time,” Chu said. “Obviously there’s a lot of concern with patients who have a cancer diagnosis, both in terms of the urgency of their personal diagnosis, but also the fear of being exposed to COVID by seeking treatment, or is it safer to delay their treatment.”

While the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center at Henry Mayo has temporarily halted routine breast screenings, the center is still operating with limited hours, and Chu encouraged residents who may be experiencing specific problems to utilize its services.

See Related: Henry Mayo Officials Talk How Community Can Support Hospital During Coronavirus Pandemic

“If you do feel a lump that’s changed, different or new, or if you notice any skin changes that’s new like redness that doesn’t go away, the skin is feeling thicker or harder, looking like it’s being pulled in from the inside, any of these kinds of changes … those could be something of concern, and should be evaluated sooner rather than later,” Chu said.

This message is applicable not only to breast health, but to all areas of physical and mental wellbeing, according to Lawrence.

“The take home message is that if there is something that you sense is a problem, don’t put that off,” he said. “We don’t want you putting off something where you could have otherwise been seen and had something taken care of.”

For more information on the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center or to schedule an appointment, call (661) 200-1099.

To watch the full discussion, check out the video above, or click here.

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