Mammograms
There seems to be a little bit of mystery surrounding the experience of having a mammogram - does it hurt? do I have to take my clothes off? - we've asked women to comment on their experiences of having a mammogram.

• Debbie, age 49
• Nancy, age 56
• Jennifer, age 38
• Carolyn, age 62
• Melanie, age 53

Debbie, age 49

"A Mammogram is really much easier to endure than some of the other "exams" that we women have to go through. You only undress from the waist up, the technician who gives you the exam is a women, and the time that your breast is actually pressed between the glass is just a few seconds for each picture. It is only a pinching sensation, nothing more. You'll be asked to "hold your breath and remain still", then the glass automatically releases as soon as the picture is taken. The entire exam takes only a couple of minutes, and most of these ladies know how to keep the conversation light-hearted. I usually laugh the whole time.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the early stages, and with Chemotherapy and Radiation treatments, I have an excellent chance of being cancer free. A good friend of mine was not so lucky. She was in the advanced stages by the time she was diagnosed, and she passed away while still undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Catching Breast Cancer early is what it's all about. Having yearly Mammograms and doing self-examinations will give you the best chance at it."
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Nancy, age 56

"At age 51, my routine mammogram showed tiny signs of a potential problem. It was cancer. Yet, because it was caught early, my treatment was so very easy (no mastectomy, no chemotherapy)!

Ladies, there is NO good reason to delay your mammogram; it could save your breasts and your very life! Do It!"
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Jennifer, age 38

"Since breast cancer runs in my family (a grandmother and aunt both had mastectomies before they were 50), my doctor wanted me to go in for an early, 'baseline' mammogram at age 35. I knew what a mammogram was, sort of, but didn't really know what to expect. The only description I'd ever heard was 'it hurts'. With that lonely bit of knowledge, I approached my mammogram appointment with more than a little apprehension.

Ladies, it is not that bad! It is a little disconcerting as the technician (a woman) handles your breast to position it for the images, and it *is* a little uncomfortable as the 'glass' presses down and squishes your breast flat to get a good picture. But, the time of actual discomfort is very short - not longer than you can hold your breath. As soon as the tech has the picture, the glass slides up and away, freeing your breast. A couple pictures on each side, and you're done!

There may come a day when I don't get an 'all clear' and a lump is found, but by keeping with my yearly screenings, it is more likely that something is caught at the very earliest phase. And I feel good about that."

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Carolyn, age 62

"I want to share with all women that breast cancer will not wait and because it will not wait, you must not wait to get screened for early detection.On the day that you are to have your mammogram, think of it as National 'Me Day' and make the day all about you. Take a friend with you to the mammogram screening so that you don't have to read boring magazines are sit in the waiting room wondering "what if they find something" Plan on going to lunch, the beauty shop or to a friends house for chit chat after the mammogram. Better yet go home and watch the Oprah show.. Oprah will make you laugh. If you have children to be picked up from school, arrange for someone else to pick them up. Treat yourself to a kiss, a back rub or some nice music. National " Me Day" should happen a couple times a year for every woman and on one of those day make it a mammogram day for early detection."
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Melanie, age 53

"Having an annual mammogram probably saved my life.

At first I thought going for a mammogram was a "necessary evil" like teeth cleaning at the dentist. Now, I am happy to go, knowing no one ever died because of a missed appointment with the dental hygenist.

The procedure itself I find no more painful or annoying than any other regularly scheduled medical exam. My x-ray technicians have always been friendly, empathetic women. I am led to a private dressing room where I change into a shirt length gown and lock my personal belongings. I then proceed to a room where the x-ray machine is housed. The x-rays are taken standing up. The tech positions the breast in a machine. It is cold, and "squeezes" the breast to a "holding position" for the x-ray. The breast is repositioned so that a front and side view can be taken. It is over in a matter of minutes.

The relief of knowing I have prompt, confidential results and a clean bill of health for another year outweighs any momentary awkwardness that the test itself may produce. I attend my mamogram appointments faithfully and with minimal trepidation. They are a minor inconvenience when compared to the alternative: missing an early warning sign."

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