Cancer screenings have declined nationwide since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While more people are slowly getting screened again, local hospitals tell us they are nowhere near pre-pandemic levels.
“I don't feel like our numbers reflect that we ever pick that up, those women ever actually all came back for their screening mammogram, I think it was just one of those things where, you know, out of sight, out of mind," says Brittany Hennessee, the Director of Breast Services at CHI Memorial Hospital.
This week marks the three-year anniversary of CHI Memorial Hospital having to shut down the Mary Ellen Locher Breast Center for mammograms.
They say about five thousand women could not get their mammograms done during the 6-week closure.
But CHI Memorial Hospital isn't alone.
Erlanger Hospital tells us they also saw a decline.
“People kind of fell out of screening and haven't come back yet. But thankfully, some younger people who are just now aging into certain screenings are coming in," said Shae Connor, a Gynecologic Oncologist at Erlanger Hospital.
Medical professionals are now urging those reaching screening ages, and especially those who skipped preventative care, to reach out to a provider.
"When you don't have a symptom, it doesn't really push you to go in and get checked out...If you wait until you have symptoms, then your chance of a cure diminishes really rapidly," said Connor.
Erlanger tells us cervical cancer screenings should start at 21 years old while mammograms typically start at 40 years old.
Most insurance companies cover the cost of preventative screenings.
If you are uninsured, Erlanger Hospital suggests reaching out to your local health department.
"We have different programs that can help assist with these screenings to make them more affordable...it can be no cost to you if you qualify," said Jenny Lawson, the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program Coordinator for Hamilton County.