2024 has been an enormous 12 months for me. I turned 40 in April. It’s an age I’ve dreaded for the previous ten years. Not for any specific purpose, however I believe it has one thing to do with wanting to carry onto my youth in any means doable. Severely, I virtually received bangs. (Thanks to my associates who assured me it will be a mistake.)
One factor that wasn’t on my radar was getting a mammogram. In reality, when my major care doctor talked about writing me a prescription for one at my yearly appointment final fall, I used to be shocked.
I assumed to myself, “However I’m too younger for a mammogram!” My physician assured me that I used to be not too younger and, actually, on the excellent age to get my first mammogram. In line with the United States Preventive Providers Process Pressure (USPSTF), girls with a median breast most cancers threat ought to start receiving mammograms at age 40.
I known as to schedule my mammogram for late April and didn’t give it some thought once more till I obtained the alert that it was developing. The alert additionally reminded me to not put on deodorant, fragrance, lotions, or oils on the day of my examination as a result of they might intervene with the screening machine.
Was I nervous? A bit of. Principally as a result of I wasn’t certain what to anticipate. I had requested a few of my associates, who all turned 40 this 12 months, and it turned out that I used to be the primary one taking the plunge. I additionally requested my mother, and her reply was, “Properly, it’s uncomfortable, however it doesn’t damage. You’ll be high-quality.” The tone of her voice felt prefer it was a “ceremony of passage,” like a promenade, commencement, or marriage ceremony.
Once I arrived on the workplace, I obtained a clipboard of papers to fill out, in addition to a wristband. Then, I waited for about quarter-hour earlier than I used to be taken again. The tech led me right into a room the place I may change out of my shirt and bra and right into a robe that opened within the entrance.
The tech then took me to an examination room and positioned my breasts in between two plastic imaging plates. She talked me by way of repositioning every breast to take a number of photographs and angles. For me, it felt like my breasts had been being pinched. It was uncomfortable, however it was essential for her to flatten them as a lot as doable to make sure she was capable of get a transparent image of your entire breast. I took deep breaths all through your entire course of. She advised me that my breasts had been dense, which meant that my breasts had comparatively extra milk glands, milk ducts, and supportive tissue than fats, which might typically make detecting a most cancers tougher. Due to this fact, she needed to take a number of extra X-rays than deliberate. Nevertheless, your entire course of took ten minutes in complete.
My outcomes had been out there in my on-line chart the following day, and a message from my PCP stated that my mammogram was regular and that I ought to get my subsequent one in a 12 months.
Yearly Mammograms Are Essential within the Battle Towards Breast Most cancers
Breast most cancers is the second most typical most cancers amongst girls within the U.S. It’s additionally the second-leading explanation for most cancers demise amongst girls within the U.S. For non-Hispanic Black girls and Hispanic girls, breast most cancers is the main explanation for most cancers demise. Concerningly, breast most cancers has been rising amongst youthful Asian American and Pacific Islander girls.
Whereas mammograms don’t forestall breast most cancers, they will save lives as a result of they will discover breast most cancers early. And the sooner it’s discovered, the higher probability there may be at beating it. In reality, discovering breast most cancers early reduces the danger of dying from the illness by 25 to 30 % or extra.
That’s why getting a mammogram every year is so necessary to the struggle towards breast most cancers. For me, I’ve determined that I’ll name to make my mammogram appointment yearly on the week of my birthday. It’s a good way to recollect to do it, however it’s additionally a present of well being I can provide to myself.
When to Get a Mammogram Earlier than You’re 40
Whereas breast most cancers screenings are beneficial for ladies starting at 40, about 4 % of all breast cancers identified within the U.S. happen in girls underneath 40.
So, if you’re in your 20s or 30s, it’s necessary to carry out breast self-exams as soon as a month about one to 2 weeks after your menstrual cycle to develop into acquainted with the best way your breasts usually feel and look in order that it will likely be simpler to determine any adjustments or abnormalities, like lumps or pores and skin discoloration. Should you discover any adjustments, contact your gynecologist instantly. They might schedule you for a mammogram. It’s additionally crucial to go to your gynecologist for preventive care every year, as they carry out breast exams throughout your appointments, too.
No matter your age, breast self-exams and common gynecologist visits are instruments that assist detect breast most cancers early.
Ideas for Your First Mammogram
Listed below are some useful suggestions to bear in mind earlier than your first mammogram:
- Make the appointment earlier than you flip 40 so that you’re able to go after your birthday.
- Preserve your menstrual cycle in thoughts when scheduling. The examination may be extra uncomfortable proper earlier than or throughout your interval, when breasts are usually extra delicate.
- Don’t put on deodorant, lotion, fragrance, or oils, as it’ll negatively have an effect on the machine’s skill to take high quality footage.
- Put on snug clothes, particularly sneakers. You’ll be standing through the examination.
- Breathe and loosen up. Sure, it may be uncomfortable, however tensing up may make it extra uncomfortable. So, take deep breaths through the course of, and it will likely be over earlier than you understand it.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The technicians will information you thru your entire course of and can attempt to make the entire expertise as snug as doable.
