What is a Mammogram?
Just saying the word “mammogram” is enough to make women uncomfortable. For women who have never had one, it is not knowing what to expect. Will it hurt? What does it feel like? How long does it take? How long do you have to wait for results? What look on the radiologist’s face will tell me I need to worry? Like any medical test, the anxiety over waiting and not knowing consumes your thoughts until that call from the doctor.
Mammograms are a necessity, though. Breast cancer is a very real and deadly danger. The mammography pictures can catch a tumor in a much earlier stage than self-exams, helping to improve the chances of recovery. Even people who have no history of breast cancer in the family can be a victim, and at an early age. Karen Lynch was one of those people, and she writes about her experiences on Discussing Breast Cancer.
So what is a mammogram, and what should you expect at your visit? Karen’s first-hand experience can tell you a lot of what you might be wondering. I also found this video from the Winship Cancer Institute describing in detail the doctor’s visit, the test, what you should do, and when you should do it. So watch the video, read about Karen, and then pick up the phone. Most insurance companies will pay for one baseline mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40, and then yearly after age 40. If you do not have medical insurance, organizations and women’s clinics can help you find assistance for the procedure. Please don’t let fear or finances prevent you from having the screening. Your life depends on it.
If you need help finding financial assistance for a mammogram, please contact me using the contact link on the right side of this page. I will be glad to do what I can to find resources in your area.
breast cancer, mammogram, mammography, cancer
