IT'S BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH! GET THAT MAMMO!
I get it. I am a woman, I have boobs. There is nothing more anxiety producing than having to go in for that annual mammogram and having to wait for the results. But consider how much more anxiety you will experience if you neglect yourself and receive a diagnosis that could in very invasive treatment because the problem wasn't detected early enough.
CAN WE TALK? How about you take care of your body like you take care of your hair and nails. Yeah, I'm talking to you! You make sure that you are in that salon seat every two weeks like clockwork but you can't find the time to get a mammogram? I'm not buying it. We do what we want to do: hair and nails are fun and relaxing and mammograms aren't but neither is cancer. So think about it!
So let's talk about the experience. I enjoy going to this center for my mammograms because the process is simple and straightforward. You walk in, check in and have a seat. You will be called to a private stall to present your documents, (ID and insurance card) and pay your co-pay. After a while, you will be called to the back where you will be instructed to disrobe from the neck to the waist and put on a heated gown. You may put your clothes int the small locker provided and keep your valuables with you. You will then have a seat in the adjoining room and wait to be called by the technician. Yes, there is something strange about sitting around with a group of women who aren't wearing bras but most of them just keep their heads down with magazines or cell phones and avoid eye contact.
If you want to avoid this little scenario just get the first appointment of the day, (7:30) and you get to go directly to the exam area. The technicians are very experienced and that is important for me because I need a thorough technician. Let's just say that my cup size is north of an F so I need someone who definitely knows what they are doing and is comfortable with boobs of a particular size. You will only have to expose one breast at a time while, you are positioned in different ways in order for your breasts to be thoroughly scanned. The glass plates actually smash your boobs and this is more uncomfortable than painful. The entire process only takes about 20 minutes. I always feel confident with the process and the one time that there was a slight concern, my films were immediately reviewed by the doctor and the films re-taken. It turned out that my big boobs just got in the way and resulted in a false reading. It was easy-peasy! If there is a problem, you will get a call, if not you will get a standard letter in the mail regarding the negative results.
They now have 3-D imaging available which I will be considering for my next appointment because I want to make sure that I have a thorough exam that gives me every advantage.
This center doesn't just perform mammography, you can also get standard x-rays and that too is a simple process with professional staff. It is a convenient option and the coordinated care is great because I am assured that my doctor will have my results in a timely manner.
***Appointments are usually one to two weeks out.
***Peace of mind costs nothing, so what are you waiting for? read more