Yearly mammogram – gotta love ‘em

At my yearly or semi-yearly exam last year, my doctor, an internist, recommended a procedure I haven’t had for six years and have come to hate, the yearly mammogram.  The reason for my disdain is the excruciating pain the technicians put you through to get a “good enough” x-ray of your breasts.  I have had three of these vice-like gripping exams and did not want another.  I even asked my doctor if he had ever had one.  He of course answered, “No.”  I told him, “When you go and have one and see what it is like, then I will go and endure another one.”  That was last year.

Earlier this year, I discovered my oldest sister was diagnosed with early breast cancer due to a 2D mammogram.  Protocol was to have surgery and then chemo and radiation therapy.  Well, since my mother has had advanced breast cancer for over a decade, and now my sister, I felt it might be time to make that dreaded mammogram appointment.  When I called, the soonest I could get in was in three months. My appointment for my mammogram was scheduled for the end of August, two days after my 63^rd birthday.

I did a little research and asked around at my Bible study coffee group about the difference between a 2D and a 3D mammogram.  One good friend and expert, former nurse and breast cancer survivor, recommended the 3D exam because it is more thorough so you would not need to go back for a retake if something looks suspicious.  My insurance would totally cover the 2D procedure.  Unfortunately, the 3D procedure costs more as insurance companies are not covering it fully yet.

So for $115 more out of pocket, I went for the 3D exam for the first time.  Wow, what a difference.  I felt very little pressure from the machine and the six pictures took less than 10 seconds each.  I was In and out of the x-ray room in only a couple of minutes. If I knew how to cartwheel I would have done one down the hall. 

With my family history of breast cancer, I will begin having my yearly 3D mammogram.  I think having it around my birthday each year is a great birthday present.  How about you?  Have you had your yearly mammogram?  You just gotta love ‘em.

By the way, my results were negative.  Woohoo!

(Update: My insurance paid for the 3D exam)

“Women ages 45 to 54 should have a mammogram each year and those 55 years and over should continue getting mammograms every 1 to 2 years. However, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends mammograms for women between the ages of 50 and 74 every two years.”