If You Are a Woman 40 or Older It's Time for a Mammogram

When I turned forty years old last summer, it was a milestone birthday. Turning forty makes you think of things like "Forty is the new thirty" whatever that means; and "Life begins at forty", which is comforting, I guess; and then there was the "forty and fabulous" line from my husband, and that was good to know.

But turning forty created another milestone: time for regular mammograms. I really didn't know that much about mammograms. In fact, I think I had successfully blocked out any mention of a mammogram in the past five years. But my doctor informed me that it is essential to have a baseline mammogram around age forty. Since I was apprehensive about having my very first mammogram, I wanted as much information about them as I could get. Here are ten things I've learned.

First, a mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. A low-dose X-ray is used that can detect breast tissue abnormalities before they can even be felt.

Second, schedule your mammogram for the week after your period. This helps to ensure that your breasts are the least sore and tender.

Third, do not wear any deodorant, powder, ointment, or lotion on your underarms or breasts the day of your mammogram. These products can actually show up on the X-ray and skew the results.

Fourth, wear a two-piece outfit rather than a dress, so you can just remove your top for the procedure. A sweater that is easy to remove and a pair of pants is a good choice of outfit. You will be standing in a screened area and will be asked to bare only one breast at a time.

Fifth, during the mammogram procedure, your breasts will be compressed with a compression paddle in two different angles. According to mammogram technicians and other women who have had mammograms, this procedure can be painful. Some redness or bruising can even occur. But compression is necessary to find small abnormalities in the breast tissue. Compression also helps to keep the radiation dose of the X-ray at a low level.

Sixth, notify the staff if you have had breast implants. This didn't apply to me, but it does show on the X-rays, so the technicians need to know ahead of time. There is some danger of damaging the implants during the X-ray, so you will want an experienced technician doing your mammogram.

Seventh, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year with a 96% survival rate if the cancer is discovered in the breast only. Only 58% of breast cancers are discovered in this way, but early and regular mammograms are the best way of increasing this advantage.

Eighth, the American Cancer Society does recommend that women age 40 and older have annual mammograms. However, if you have certain higher risk factors, your doctor may advise you to begin regular mammograms earlier.

Ninth, higher risk factors for having breast cancer are having a history of breast cancer in your family; being obese; having a high-fat diet; being childless or having your first child after age 30; having an early menstrual cycle or late menopause; and age. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50.

Tenth, a mammogram only lasts about five to ten minutes and your doctor should have the results in a few days. If you haven't heard from your doctor after two weeks, call and ask if he or she has received your mammogram results.

I have my mammogram scheduled. Do you?