I’m in my 30’s, and when my doctor recommended I get a mammogram because of some unexplained breast pain, I realized I didn’t have many peers that had mammogram before!
I knew it involved some possible pain, and I had visions of my breasts being smushed into pancakes! I was more than a bit nervous, but cancer screenings are important to me – so I soldiered on!
I wanted to hear from someone my own age about just what to expect – who would tell me honestly what it was like. But I couldn’t really find anything. So I decided to record my own experience in hopes that it will help someone else who is nervous about their first mammogram!
It just so happens that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so it seems like the perfect time to share this video with you – my impressions of getting a regular Mammogram combined with a 3D Mammogram.
Some Reasons you might want to add a 3D Mammogram to your Regular One:
- Younger women with dense breasts could potentially benefit the most, many doctors feel. Radiologists can have a harder time picking out cancers in dense breasts, because both cancers and dense tissue appear as white on a mammogram. And that is common in younger women.
- In the April issue of Radiology, Mammograhic Tomosynthesis (3D mammography) was shown to benefit all classes of women. The use of mammography plus tomosynthesis in a screening environment resulted in a greater cancer detection rate, and enabled the detection of more invasive cancers while reducing the over all number of false positives.
- The 3-D version enables radiologists to scroll through images of breast tissue a layer at a time, improving their ability to see some questionable areas more clearly.
Some Reasons why a 3D Mammogram might not be for you:
- Most insurance does not cover a 3D Mammogram, requiring you to pay out of pocket. Fees can range from no extra charge at some facilities, to more than $100 at others. I paid $50 for mine.
- A 3D Mammogram does expose you to a higher level of radiation.
- Not all doctors feel 3D mammograms are necessary or recommended since they may only ultimately benefit a small group of women.
Ultimately, I felt lucky to have the option of a 3D Mammogram at the facility I went to. The Mammogram tech also said that since I’m on the younger side, having the 3D pictures of my breast tissue to refer back to in the coming years is likely to be of great benefit to my doctors in the future. They will be able to more easily compare what changes may have occurred in my breasts over time by comparing the 3D images I got taken today, with those I get taken as I age.
Despite being really apprehensive about getting a mammogram to begin with – I left feeling totally empowered and glad I did it! I hope my experience can help someone else to go into their Mammogram experience feeling less apprehensive and a little more informed!
About Shannon SchmidShannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.
You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.
Thanks for sharing! I’m 35 and I think that makes me due for one soon. :-/ Even though my grandmother and great-grandmother had breast cancer, I’m still reluctant to get one…which is crazy! Glad to hear it doesn’t have to be a painful experience.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I haven’t had one yet but I’m pretty due soon. Good to know how it works.
Thanks for sharing Shannon. Great advice, I’ve only had an ultrasound but will start to get regularl squeezes soon.
Shannon, I always love your videos!
What a great way to walk us through a mammogram and what to expect. Your honest feedback makes it seem so easy!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us — I am supposed to be scheduling a one earlier than they normally recommend b/c breast cancer runs in my mother’s family. I am going to share this with my sister — who should be going for her first one soon!
@OneMommy, Did your sister and you ever schedule your mammograms? I’d love to hear how it went!
@Shannon Schmid, Hanging head in shame…I still need to schedule mine. It has been busy around here and I’ve been neglecting making several appointments I need to make. Thanks for the reminder! Writing it down to do this week!
You make it look so easy, and thank you for the insider look at what actually happens. I hope this help ease womens’ fear about getting their first mammogram. I’ve heard good things about Solis, and I notices it was at a Solis location, but I loved the video regardless. I’m glad to here you had such a great experience!
@Bria, Bria- it was so easy! And yes, I was at a SOlis location, and had a great experience. That said I’ve never gone anywhere else, so not sure what I’m comparing
against 🙂
Every women should first read this article on mammography: http://blogs.naturalnews.com/what-every-women-ought-to-know-about-mammography-but-usually-doesnt/
@Derreck, Derreck – I appreciate your desire to help women find health. And while I agree that overdiagnosis in breast cancer can happen – I dont personally believe the answer is to not get mammograms. That said – I’m leaving you link, and I encourage all my readers to do their own research on the subject and be their own biggest health advocate! Thanks for being a reader Derreck 🙂
Wow! This is great way to look at a mammogram if you have never experienced it!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad it worked out well for you.
Another important thing for premenopausal women to know is that mammograms are best done in the first two weeks of your monthly cycle, if you have the option. If there is serious suspicion of cancer, instead of just getting a baseline screening, of course you shouldn’t wait.
Thank you so much for sharing this at Something Fabulous Wednesday. This has eased a lot of my worries about getting a mammogram.