Dr. John Chessare WBAL COVID-19 Townhall - March 23, 2021

Over the past year, so much attention has been given to COVID-19 that many have forgotten the importance of preventive healthcare for other diseases. John B. Chessare, MD, MPH, President and CEO of GBMC HealthCare, joined WBAL’s Coronavirus Townhall to talk about the state of the pandemic in Maryland, the vaccination rollout, and how preventive healthcare saves lives.

While hospitalizations are rising slightly, the number of patients sick enough to need intensive care has remained low. This is likely due to improved treatments for COVID-19 and the increasing rate of vaccinations; however, Dr. Chessare cautioned against assuming the pandemic is ending. “A month ago, I would have thought we were coming to the end of this,” he said, “but with the increase in hospitalizations, I realized I simply don’t have an answer.” He reminded listeners that until society reaches herd immunity, it is critical to continue wearing a mask, washing hands, and physically distancing.

When asked about GBMC’s role in vaccinating the public, Dr. Chessare explained that while the hospital is vaccinating as many people as possible, it has been receiving significantly fewer doses since the mass vaccination centers have opened. He noted that there seems to be a general decline in vaccine hesitancy as people see others get vaccinated without major health issues. He said that this is encouraging because “the single best way to get out of the pandemic is to get as many people vaccinated as possible.” Even the small number (less than 5%) of people who become infected after receiving the vaccine will be protected from severe illness and death.

The conversation shifted to preventive health in the time of COVID-19. One of the less talked about consequences of the pandemic has been the sharp decline in screenings like colonoscopies and mammograms. As time goes on, more people are resuming these procedures, and Dr. Chessare strongly recommended that patients schedule these screenings as soon as possible. “We want to make sure that the fear of the pandemic doesn’t stop people from coming for these life-saving procedures,” he said.

He highlighted colonoscopies as a prime example of a procedure that people should not miss. Colorectal cancer, the third most diagnosed cancer in the United States, is a highly treatable disease, especially when caught early, but it is still the second leading cause of cancer-related death. During a colonoscopy, clinicians are able to check for cancer and remove any polyps that might be found in the colon. Polyps are clumps of cells that form along the lining of the colon. While not all polyps are precancerous, many are. Removing those cells can prevent cancer from forming and potentially save that person’s life.

For many years, it was recommended that people of average risk begin getting colonoscopies at age 50, but in October 2020, the American Cancer Society lowered the age to 45. If you have questions or are unsure whether you need to schedule a colonoscopy, talk to your primary care provider.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and GBMC’s vaccination process, visit www.gbmc.org/covid-19-vaccine-faq.