HEALTHY FAMILY
Mammogram Myths
BY EMILY ROSE BARR
Myth #1: Mammograms are
incredibly painful.

While many women will feel pain or dis-
comfort during their mammogram, in my
18 Washington FAMILY OCTOBER 2022
with a mammography if they wish to do so. By
age 45, women should get an annual mammo-
gram regardless of their risk status. Women who
may be at greater risk include those who have a
BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation; who are an untested
family member of someone who has a BRCA1 or
BRCA2 mutation; who have a history of mantle
or chest radiation which occurred before age 30;
or have a lifetime breast cancer risk of 20% or
greater based on their family history.

About 1 in 8 U.S. women (13%) will develop
invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. Get-
ting annual mammograms can help doctors
detect breast cancer early, sometimes up to
Myth #2: My breasts are too
three years before it can be felt. Studies have
small for a mammogram.

shown that screening mammography can
Some women worry that their breasts are too
reduce breast cancer deaths in women ages 40
small to have a mammogram, but the truth is,
to 74 years at average risk of breast cancer, with
if you have breast tissue, you can have a mam-
the benefit being most pronounced in women
mogram. In other words, whatever your cup
ages 50 to 69 years. No studies, however, have
size may be, every woman has enough breast
shown a benefit from regular screening mam-
tissue for the procedure.

mography in women under age 40 or from
baseline screening mammography (mammo-
Myth #3: I don’t need to get
grams taken for comparison) before age 40.

annual mammograms if I’m not
Other early detection practices include hav-
in the high-risk group.

ing an annual physical exam by your doctor;
According to the American Cancer Society,
ultrasound imaging (used to help diagnose
beginning at age 40, women should have the
breast lumps or other abnormalities found
choice to start yearly breast cancer screening
experience, the pain was negligible, and far
from the agony I’d prepared for. The discom-
fort was mild and lasted only as long as the
procedure itself (about 10 minutes.) Accord-
ing to the CDC, the skill of the technologist,
the size of your breasts, and how much they
need to be pressed all influence what you
feel. In addition, your breasts may be more
sensitive if you are about to get or have your
period, so it’s recommended to avoid sched-
uling your appointment during this week or
the week before.

PROSTOCK-STUDIO / ADOBESTOCK
T his past July, I got my first mammogram.

At the ripe age of 34. I’m not your typi-
cal candidate. For most women, annual
mammograms are recommended beginning at
age 40-45. In all likelihood, the lump I’d found
that prompted the visit was a cyst. I’d had a
couple before, both of which were benign, and
while there’s no rhyme or reason for why some
women develop them and others don’t, this
felt like familiar territory to me.

Even so, the ambiguity that accompanied
my probable diagnosis was enough to leave me
feeling anxious and afraid. After all, I’d heard
that mammograms were akin to medieval
torture, and I was not envious of the women
who’d undergone them.

Where did this rumor come from? Did I
have good reason to dread entry into my fourth
decade? I’m here to debunk some of the myths
surrounding this potentially life-saving pro-
cedure that so often evokes doom and gloom,
and spread the word about the importance of
receiving annual screenings.

during a physical exam;) and completing breast self-exam-
inations, or regularly examining your breasts on your own.

Most importantly, if you notice a lump or any suspicious
changes in your breasts, don’t postpone seeking medi-
cal advice or treatment out of fear of what it might entail.

Here are some tips if the M-word still makes you want to
run and hide:
• ASk a trusted friend or family member to go with you to
your appointment. Offer to return the favor or take them
out to lunch as a thank you!
• Tell the technician that you’re nervous, especially if it’s
your first time. My tech put me at ease within minutes and
kept me laughing for most of the visit, and it made all the
difference. • If you’re concerned about pain, ask your doctor about tak-
ing a painkiller beforehand. He or she will know what to
recommend based on your medical record and history.

• Do some relaxation exercises while you wait. Take deep
breaths, do a guided meditation, stretch, listen to music,
read, or watch something that makes you laugh.

I hope you feel at ease whether you’re a first-timer or are
BFFs with your tech. As for my mammogram? I’m pleased to
report that the results were benign, and I don’t need to begin
regular screenings until I’m 40. Instead of dreading this rite
of passage, I feel grateful for a way to look after my health
and take care of a body that continues to take care of me. T
Helpful Links and Resources:
NIH National Cancer Institute:
cancer.gov/types/breast/mammograms-fact-sheet CDC:
cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/mammograms.htm cdc.gov/cancer/breast/pdf/breast-cancer-screening-
guidelines-508.pdf cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm
Health Images: How Are Mammo-grams Done on
Small Breasts?
healthimages.com/how-are-mammograms-done-on- small-breasts/
Breastcancer.org: breastcancer.org/facts-statistics
breastcancer.org/screening-testing/breast-self-exam-bse Radiologyinfo.org:
Breast Ultrasound
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/breastus Cancer.org
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