2024 has been a big year for me. I turned 40 in April. It’s an age I have
dreaded for the past ten years. Not for any particular reason, but I suspect
it has something to do with wanting to hold onto my youth in any way
possible. Seriously, I almost got bangs. (Thank you to my friends who
assured me it would be a mistake.)
One thing that wasn’t on my radar was getting a mammogram. In fact, when my
primary care physician mentioned writing me a prescription for one at my
yearly appointment last fall, I was surprised.
I thought to myself, “But I’m too young for a mammogram!” My doctor assured
me that I was not too young and, in fact, at the perfect age to get my first
mammogram. According to the
United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF),
women with an average breast cancer risk should begin receiving mammograms
at age 40.
I called to schedule my mammogram for late April and didn’t think about it
again until I received the alert that it was coming up. The alert also
reminded
me not to wear deodorant, perfume, lotions, or oils
on the day of my exam because they could interfere with the screening
machine.
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Was I nervous? A little. Mostly because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had
asked some of my friends, who all turned 40 this year, and it turned out
that I was the first one taking the plunge. I also asked my mom, and her
reply was, “Well, it’s uncomfortable, but it doesn’t hurt. You’ll be fine.”
The tone of her voice felt like it was a “rite of passage,” like a prom,
graduation, or wedding.
When I arrived at the office, I received a clipboard of papers to fill out,
as well as a wristband. Then, I waited for about 15 minutes before I was
taken back. The tech led me into a room where I could change out of my shirt
and bra and into a gown that opened in the front.
The tech then took me to an exam room and positioned my breasts in between
two plastic imaging plates. She talked me through repositioning each breast
to take multiple images and angles. For me, it felt like my breasts were
being pinched. It was uncomfortable, but it was necessary for her to flatten
them as much as possible to ensure she was able to get a clear picture of
the entire breast. I took deep breaths throughout the entire process. She
told me that my
breasts were dense, which meant that my breasts had relatively more milk glands, milk ducts,
and supportive tissue than fat, which can sometimes make detecting a cancer
more difficult. Therefore, she had to take a few more X-rays than planned.
However, the entire process took ten minutes in total.
My results were available in my online chart the next day, and a message
from my PCP said that my mammogram was normal and that I should get my next
one in a year.
Yearly Mammograms Are Important in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Breast cancer
is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S. It’s also the
second-leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S. For
non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic women, breast cancer is the leading
cause of cancer death. Concerningly, breast cancer has been
increasing among younger Asian American and Pacific Islander women.
While mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, they can save lives because
they can find breast cancer early. And the earlier it’s found, the better
chance there is at beating it. In fact, finding breast cancer early reduces
the risk of dying from the disease by
25 to 30 percent or more.
That’s why getting a mammogram once a year is so important to the fight
against breast cancer. For me, I’ve decided that I will call to make my
mammogram appointment every year on the week of my birthday. It’s a great
way to remember to do it, but it’s also a gift of health I can give to
myself.
When to Get a Mammogram Before You’re 40
While breast cancer screenings are recommended for women beginning at 40,
about four percent of all breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. occur in
women under 40.
So, if you are in your 20s or 30s, it’s important to perform
breast self-exams
once a month about one to two weeks after your menstrual cycle to become
familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel so that it will be
easier to identify any changes or abnormalities, like lumps or skin
discoloration. If you notice any changes, contact your gynecologist right
away. They may schedule you for a mammogram. It’s also very important to
visit your gynecologist for preventive care once a year, as they perform
breast exams during your appointments, too.
Regardless of your age, breast self-exams and regular gynecologist visits
are tools that help detect breast cancer early.
Tips for Your First Mammogram
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind before your first mammogram:
-
Make the appointment before you turn 40 so you’re ready to go after your
birthday. -
Keep your menstrual cycle in mind when scheduling. The exam can be more
uncomfortable right before or during your period, when breasts tend to be
more sensitive. -
Don’t wear deodorant, lotion, perfume, or oils, as it will negatively affect
the machine’s ability to take quality pictures. -
Wear comfortable clothing, especially shoes. You’ll be standing during the
exam. -
Breathe and relax. Yes, it can be uncomfortable, but tensing up could make
it more uncomfortable. So, take deep breaths during the process, and it will
be over before you know it. -
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The technicians will guide you through the
entire process and will try to make the whole experience as comfortable as
possible.
This content was originally posted on IBX Insights.
About Ashley Weyler
I’m a writer and a film, music, and TV buff who loves Philadelphia sports. I
enjoy spending time with my family and friends, which means I’m always
on-the-go. I try to make healthy decisions that fit with my lifestyle;
whether it’s choosing healthy food while eating at a restaurant, finding
exercises I enjoy doing so I stay motivated, or achieving a good work-life
balance.
