Recently, I had my yearly visit with Lisa, the mammography technician at The Woman’s Place.
As I stood there holding my breath, with my breast feeling like a large lump of peanut butter smashed between two crackers, I wanted to scream at the “man” that had invented that damned torturous device used for the mammogram exam.
I vowed to research his name and send him a scathing email advising him to try it on certain parts of his body to attain empathy for the female experience. However, like having a baby, the pain (and the vow) was soon forgotten as I went back into the “busy-ness” of my daily life.
Now, I have made a discovery that I plan to try next year. Since none of my girlfriends have mentioned it to me, I assume that they have not made this discovery so I decided to blog about it this week.
3D Mammography – (called Tomosynthesis) – is the newest technology. This type of mammogram shows the breast in slices and will detect small/hidden cancer, which is good news for women with dense breasts. It has been reported there has been up to a 50% reduction in the false positive rate because of this new technology. The best news is that it is now FDA approved and available to all women for a cost of the insurance payment plus $50 out-of-pocket. I call that a bargain for reported less discomfort and more peace of mind.
Take this information, do your research, and consider this type of mammography for your next exam.
Also, I want to share a sad story with you about the importance of the yearly mammogram. Once a group of female co-workers and I formed a mammogram pack to remind each other to make and keep our yearly mammogram exams. One year, one of these co-workers informed us that she was in the advance stage of breast cancer. We were all shocked and inquired as to how this remained undetected through her yearly exams. She confessed to us that she had lied to us and it had been 10 years since she had a mammogram. As a result, she had a double mastectomy to save her life.
I never understood why she lied to us each year.
So, ladies, please nudge all of the females in your life to take care of themselves. Please share this information and this story with them. Let them know that technology is changing and there are now easier ways to have this critical exam.
Questions:
Do you have your annual mammograms?
Do you have any friends that are neglectful with these critical exams?
Would you be willing to try the new technology?
Brenda Johnson says
Yes I go every year. I would like to try the new technology. I saw it on television. I am going to ask for it. I didn’t know all I had to pay was the $50 copayment. I am going to check with my insurance company.
Christine says
I spent years dreading my first mammogram because my mother went head-to-head with her doctor over having hers. She decided that she was no longer going to get the exam and her doctor threatened not to renew her script for HRT. So, being the woman from whom I inherited my stubborness, she said “fine, women have survived many centuries without horomone therapy!” She hasn’t had a mammogram in 10+ years.
I had my first mammogram 3 years ago. Yeah, it was awkward having a stranger manhandle my breasts, pulling it into place, okay, tugging is a better word. And I can’t say that having my breast flattened by an unforgiving machine was fun, all while the technician is telling me to “relax.” It reminded me of the OBGYN when she is about to insert a foreign object into my body.
But, honestly, the whole darn process only lasts 2-3 minutes from the minute you enter the room and each x-ray is about 15 secs. I usually take an ibuprofen prior to arrival just in case there is any leftover achiness. All-in-all, I’ve endured much more uncomfortable procedures. I certainly don’t think it is worth throwing down the gauntlet as my mother did and risking breast cancer.
With that said, I am excited to hear about the new option. As I have a mammogram coming up in the next 2 months, I might have to check it out! Thanks, Elaine!
Elaine Gray says
Christine,
I am glad you overcame your stubbornness to do the right thing!
Your mother is a brave woman giving up her HRT!
HRT is my friend! (and that’s an upcoming blog post).
Laura says
I do have a yearly mammogram, since breast cancer runs in my family. My dad’s grandmother died of it while she was in her late forties. Honestly, my OGBYN will not let me see her unless I have my mammogram scheduled. My sister is neglectful about her yearly exam and so both my mother and I have to be on her. She claims that she is to busy to schedule. We are all busy but if we take a small amount of time it is worth it. As for the new technology, I am willing to try it. Anything has to be better then what we have to go through now.
Elaine Gray says
Laura,
I understand your dilemma with your sister. I, too, have family members that are neglectful about this exam because their lives are too busy. I guess we should pose this question to them “Will you find time for the chemotherapy treatments if you are diagnosed with cancer?”. Maybe this will snap them to reality.
Mleinda Cousin says
Thanks Elaine for sucha a great blog! I had my first mammogram last December (not the new technology you mentioned)–and it wasn’t that bad. I lost my sister last year to breast cancer at the age of 27!!! Like many young women diagnosed with breast cancer, she felt a lump and waited too late to get the much needed test to determine that it was in fact cancer. By the time she started her cancer treatment, it was at stage IV. Everyday I wake up thinking that she didn’t have to lose her life to cancer, if she would have gotten tested sooner. Through Danielle’s journey with her illness, I became diligent about learning everything I could about this dreadful disease. Like with most cancers, the survival rates greatly increase with early detection. And there is simply no excuse for not getting tested. (To my knowledge, mammogram’s are covered by insurance…and if you do not have insurance–there are organizations like “The Rose” that will provide them at no cost, or contact the American Cancer Society to find out where you can go). Thanks Elaine!
Elaine Gray says
Melinda,
Your sister’s battle was one that really touched my heart because she was so young!
I believe the recommendation is to have your first mammogram at 40 but I think that is too late.
Most of us would have breasts for at least 25 years by the time we are 40. Why should we wait for so long for such a crucial test?
Thank you for sharing your sister’s journey with us.
Debra says
I do have a yearly mammogram .
My best friend died from breast cancer. The women she touched know that having an annual mammogram is vital. The 3d technology sounds great.
Elaine Gray says
Debra,
It is good to know your friend’s journey touched others to take care of themselves.
I know losing your friend was difficult.