Mammograms are a Necessary Evil

I had a mammogram this week.  Not my first, and certainly not my last since I am approaching 50 years of age.  I have missed a few years due to a move to a new state and getting new doctors and all.  But felt that I really should get off my fanny and get in there for a new one.  What better time to plan such an event then Breast Cancer Awareness month?   So I called at the end of October and made my appointment.

I call it 'Necessary' because we women are all at risk of developing breast cancer...some at higher risk then others. After the age of 40 the risk increases dramatically.  I have tried to do the self-examinations but after having a breast reduction in 1998 I have so much scar tissue that I would not be able to discern one lumpy spot from another.  I am amazed that the mammogram can see through all of that, but apparently it can.

This is me in my gown waiting to go in.

I call it 'Evil' because it is not exactly a pleasant experience.  First they give you this gown with a waffle or thermal-looking pattern to it (see the picture below), that 'looks' like it might be really soft and comfortable, but it is not! This thing feels like you are wearing a cardboard egg carton.  I know that sounds like a really strange thing to describe the texture, but it really does feel like that!  Then they take you into the room with the large digital imaging equipment.  They have you hug this machine in a very awkward and slightly uncomfortable way as they lay your breast out on a clear plexi-glass plate and stretch it out.  Then another clear plexi-glass plate comes down on top of your breast. The top plate presses down until your breast looks a bit like a pancake and you think, "Oh Boy, please don't malfunction!".  The machine stops pressing just when you are ready to scream "Uncle" then the technician manually cranks the plate down just a bit more. 

See the texture? It LOOKS like it would be soft.

At this point you may think about running away, but you better not because they have got your breast securely pinned in this machine...you may leave, but your breast is not going with you.  Then you are told to 'Not Move' while she runs the digital imaging scan.  And you are done!  Well, not quite...she has to do the other breast.  And don't think you are done yet... you get to repeat this process with a sideways image of each breast too.  When you are done, you would love to really hate the woman that just squished your breasts in every position, but you can't because she is so darn nice.  She thanks you for coming in, asks if you have any questions, and patiently answers them...I really wanted to not like her, but I couldn't.

Three days after getting my Mammogram, my doctor called to let me know that everything looked just fine in the images!  I guess the peace of mind is worth it.  It is not as bad as getting a Pap Smear, that's for sure!  And now I don't have to worry about and dread doing it again -until my next Annual Mammogram appointment next November.  Mammograms are a Necessary Evil, that really isn't as evil as it sounds.  One of my dear friends would not be with us today if it had not been for a Mammogram that detected a cancerous lump in her breast.  Thank you Mercy Regional Breast Care Center!

Have you had a Mammogram before?  Do you get them Annually?  I would love to hear your thoughts...