Breast Cancer: How the Pandemic Changed the Doctor-Patient Relationship

Written by Shishira Sreenivas
Medically Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, MS, DO on December 12, 2024
4 min read

The COVID-19 pandemic brought big changes to the way doctors provide care to people with breast cancer. Many oncologists continue to offer some types of breast cancer care virtually. This is known as "telehealth" or "telemedicine." It includes things like screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care for breast cancer.

Telehealth is a type of health visit in which your doctor or other health care professional provides care without you having to visit them in-person at an office, clinic, or a hospital. It can include phone calls, emails, or texts, using smartphones, tablets, or a computer.

Video/audio chats. This type of doctor's appointment may include real-time audio-video chats with your doctor or other health care providers on a phone, tablet, or a computer. You may have to make an appointment just like you would for an in-person visit.

Your doctor may use this virtual appointment to do a remote evaluation. If your doctor isn't able to address your concerns remotely, they may suggest an in-person visit for a thorough check.

In certain cases, you may have a hybrid in-person health test with a nurse, physician assistant, or other types of health care providers. This can include blood pressure checks or a physical exam. This information may be passed on to the doctor to help them get a better picture of your health.

Online patient portals. In this type of remote care, images, messages, and other important information is uploaded to a secure messaging website. Your doctor may evaluate this separately at another time and respond to it, order prescription drugs, or provide health advice based on the information available. Both you and your health care provider will access the secure portal to exchange information and messages.

Remote patient monitoring. Sometimes you may need specific or specialized types of care that may not be easily available in the area you live in. In such cases, you may have to reach out to a specialist remotely from a distance.

Email or text communication. Your doctor or someone from your doctor's office may securely send test results or information about follow-up visits through email or text. This could include email attachments, images, and PDFs.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you're seeking breast cancer care in a virtual environment:

  • Don't put off getting treatment or a breast exam if you suspect a lump or irregularity in your breasts. Reach out to your primary care doctor or a cancer specialist right away.
  • If you're nervous about a virtual appointment with a doctor, ask a family member or a friend to join you. If they can't meet you in person, ask them to join via phone or video chat. This may ease your tension.
  • Virtual doctor appointments may feel awkward sometimes. But just as you would in an in-person appointment, if you feel like you're not getting the right care, feel free to get a second opinion.
  • Don't hesitate to reach out to mental health experts if you find that you're feeling depressed or anxious. Many psychologists, therapists, and counselors have virtual care options, too.
  • If your medical team believes you need an in-person for a certain treatment or therapy such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, follow their directions to get the best care. 

If you're diagnosed with breast cancer, continuous care is important to stay on top of your treatment. Sometimes, if an in-person visit isn't possible because of health risks or lack of access, telehealth can help fill the gap and let you continue your care.

The benefits of telehealth for your breast cancer care and your overall health can include:

 

  • Lets you know if you may need additional medical consultation or assessment.
  • Gives you access to specialists, including those for mental health and chronic health conditions.
  • Helps you manage your prescription drugs.
  • Provides coaching and support for various migraine issues, including lifestyle and nutrition counseling.
  • Lets you take part in physical therapy or occupational therapy.
  • Monitors your blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and other key measurements.
  • Gives you access to top medical care, especially if you live in a rural area or have limited ability to move or visit your doctor in person.
  • Provides remote follow-up appointments after you've been hospitalized. This helps to lower your exposure to any virus or bacteria if your immune system is compromised.
  • Provides non-emergency care for your breast cancer issues.

While virtual visits may save you time and a trip to the doctor's office, there are several limitations you may face.

This includes:

  • Doctor's office and health care regulations may vary state to state.
  • Your medical insurance may not cover out-of-state doctor visits. Depending on the type of care you may receive during your virtual visit, your insurance company may not cover the charges. And your insurance may not cover out-of-state doctor visits.
  • Virtual doctor visits may make it hard to discuss sensitive topics, especially if you have physical or emotion discomfort or certain privacy concerns.
  • Virtual visits require technology and internet access. If you live in a remote area, internet access could be an issue.
  • Without in-person physical exams, your doctor may miss or misdiagnose underlying conditions.
  • Virtual visits cannot fully replace emergency medical care.