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 63rd 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.

yearly mammogram
Before mammogram, Photo by slc

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.”      

 

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