Hi there, Mrs. 1500 back again for the second day in a row.
So a few weeks back, I wrote about feeling financially guilty because I bought 4 new bras. You ladies responded that $30 a bra isn’t excessive – in fact quite the opposite. I appreciated your responses, and am trying to get over my guilt. I even got rid of those old bras that didn’t fit. Thank you.
Now let’s talk boobs. Specifically, boob healthcare. October is drawing to a close. It is my favorite month, because I was born in October. In fact, my health insurance company sent me a letter, simultaneously wishing me a happy birthday and reminding me that it is breast cancer awareness month, and I should really get a mammogram, now that I am over 40.
Not only am I over 40, but this month marks 3 years since I turned 40. I should have gotten a mammogram 3 years ago, but I put it off. And then it was no longer my birth month (they recommend getting a mammogram during your birth month so you remember) so I pushed it back. Then next October came and went. And the next one.
So now we are in the final days of THIS October, and the letter arrived last week so I called up as soon as I opened it and made an appointment.
I wasn’t looking forward to it. Part of the reason I have put it off so long is that I have heard from multiple people that it hurts. They mash your boob between two plates and it hurts so bad.
I have tattoos. I have body piercings. I had two kids. I’m not a stranger to pain. I don’t know why I was so freaked out about getting a mammogram. It’s not like they start squishing your boob and then go have lunch. And really, unless they are cutting into your flesh, how bad does it really hurt?
Mr. 1500 note: Yep, tattoos and body piercings. Mrs. 1500 went through a rebellious phase. I have zero tattoos (none planned) and absolutely nothing pierced (definitely nothing planned here either). No rebellious phase for me. Wait, is early retirement rebellious?
Rationality was tossed aside when I was thinking about having one. Plus, maybe, I was freaked out about being old enough to need one…
Thank you, Kaiser Permanente. Probably not many people think this thought. Insurance companies are evil, they charge too much, yada yada yada.
But without that letter, I would most likely have let another birth month pass, another year pass, without a mammogram.
I’m not at a high risk. My grandmother on my mom’s side had breast cancer, but I come from a HUGE family, and she is the only one who ever had it. Flukes happen.
So I made the appointment. And I drove there with hesitation dripping off me. Traffic was terrible, which just made me more apprehensive.
I got to the facility, and Tracey introduced herself and walked me back to the changing room. (Note, you aren’t supposed to be wearing deodorant or lotion for a mammogram.) I changed into their little pseudo-gown thingy, and we walked to the mammography room. Tracey told me to forget everything I had ever heard about mammograms. Yeah, right.
The machine doesn’t look like anything I have ever seen before, so describing it is pointless. At chest height, there are two plates. Your boob sits on one, and the other one comes down and…
Here’s where I don’t really know what word to use. Compress makes it sound painful. Ditto smash and moosh. The top plate comes down. It touches your skin, and then keeps going down. Your boob flattens out, but it certainly isn’t painful. It isn’t really even all that uncomfortable. I don’t want to do it for long stretches of time, but for the 9 seconds it takes to capture the image, it isn’t anything worth worrying about.
When she was done with the first side, I was astonished. “Seriously?!? You’re done?” Tracey told me that there were other images we needed to capture, but that particular one was finished.
I felt foolish for having put it off for so long. It was so not-a-big-deal that I cannot believe anyone has ever made such a big deal about it. It took longer to mark off all the moles on my skin (thanks, mom!) than it did to actually take the pictures of my boobs.
As you may have guessed during my bra article, I am larger than your average gal. The tissue is denser, too. Since I have never had a mammogram before, this one is called the baseline, and is what all future mammograms will be compared to. But the most dense areas will be difficult to read, and I may have to go back in for another scan.
Tracey isn’t a radiologist, so she can’t diagnose the results. She did say that tumors start out as the size of the “.” on this page. So small you can’t feel them. But that they show up white in the mammogram, so areas like this (and then she pointed to an area on the screen) will get more scrutiny from the radiologists than regular areas that show up grey in the actual film.
I’m betting that there is nothing to worry about, but I’ll know by Friday. They call if there is an issue. They send a letter if there isn’t. But even if there is an issue, I know it won’t hurt.
So ladies, take Tracey’s advice, and forget everything you know about mammography. It doesn’t hurt. It isn’t even “uncomfortable.” It just is. And it’s about 5 minutes. Take care of yourself, and go get a mammogram.
Mr. 1500 note: Ladies, take care of yourself. My grandmother died of breast cancer. She was in her 80s, so at least she had a nice, long life. My aunt, who also died of breast cancer, didn’t even make it to 40.
Join the 10s who have signed up already!
Subscribing will improve your life in incredible ways*.
*Only if your life is pretty bad to begin with.
Great reminder Mrs 1500! I have been trying to get one for a couple of years now – but since I am still just shy of 40, my doctor won’t approve it, so insurance won’t cover it. My mother was diagnosed in 2010, and I really wanted one, not just to check, but to have a baseline mammogram on file for the future. But – I go back to the doctor next week, so I plan on asking again… well, this time I may try some begging and sweet talking too!
Mrs SSC recently posted…A smaller car? To buy or not to buy?
Insurance restrictions may be the reason you can’t get approved. If your doc won’t recommend it, call the insurance company. They are WAY too involved in patient care today, but you won’t know if you don’t ask. Good luck!
As a breast cancer survivor (diagnosed at 42), I do believe mammograms are important, but at least equally so (and maybe even more) are self exams and just knowing one’s body. Anecdotally, I’ve many fellow survivors over the years– the vast majority of them found their own lumps. I can think of only one or two women I’ve personally met whose malignant lumps were found via routine mammography. Indeed, my own lump (2 cm) was missed in a mammogram 1.5 years before. Not to say mammograms aren’t important, they are– but knowing ones own body enough to be able to notice subtle changes is really key…..
Patience recently posted…“Tennyson’s Dragon-Fly”, My Nibblefest Contest Entry for Sept’s “DRAGONFLIES” Theme
You are so right, Patience. And to recognize the problem and DO SOMETHING about it. My mother in law has a weird skin splotch on her face. It has grown bigger over the past two years. Both her mother and sister died of breast cancer, and she is terrified of cancer, so she doesn’t get it checked out. Not checking it out doesn’t make it not be cancer…
Thanks for reading!
No pictures in this post? How unfair, I do recall Mr showing off his new bra invention (well, it’s kinda seared into my brain). JK, very good PSA, my wife has this in her genetic history, but you might as well make light of it since ‘pink’ is every-friggin-where 🙂 If you aren’t aware of boobs yet, then you don’t live in the modern age.
No pics, sorry. I could show you a pancake…
Hi, Mrs. 1500,
I love your posts! However, I have to comment on this one. My first mammogram didn’t hurt, but as I get older and my breasts are denser, the mammograms hurt more each time. Last time, tears came to my eyes! I know our Breast Center has the newest machine and they squish the breasts so flat I can’t believe it. Mammograms do not hurt for all women, but they do for some. (By the way, I have a high tolerance for pain – had 2 babies without any drugs.) I don’t want to discourage anyone from getting this test, but I feel I should add my own experience.
Hmm. I share the dense issue. It didn’t bring me to tears, though. I certainly wouldn’t label myself high pain tolerance, either. I had two babies with drugs. Although they were both c-sections, so I was happy for those drugs!!!
I’m sorry it hurt you. I hope future mammograms don’t hurt.
I’m under 40, but have had 5 or 6 mammograms. I’m a lumpy girl, and also have dense breasts. I’ve come to the conclusion that the technician, and the reason you’re getting a mammogram, makes all the difference. I’ve had mammograms that are barely more than an inconvenience, and some that take my breath away. The worst was when they were looking into a painful spot. But honestly, it was painful already, so what could I expect? Overall I would say my dread is worse than the actual procedure.
Cindy recently posted…Net Worth Update – October 2015
My mom is a breast cancer survivor. She probably wouldn’t have had to have the more invasive procedures if she had been diagnosed earlier.. Unfortunately, she had just started a new job and health insurance didn’t kick in yet. I heard on the news that the American Cancer Society was pushing the recommended age to 45…don’t know what’s the right age, but your risk factors and family history is probably important. And not that I would know or think about it but I never thought that it was supposed to be a painful process.
Andrew recently posted…A Gift Better Than Money: Financial Literacy
There are many changes needed to the healthcare system. Basic, routine checks like mammography, pap smears and PSA tests and prostate exams for men should be available to everyone at a nominal charge.
I’m not sure a US Government-run healthcare system is the best way to go, but the current system sure isn’t either.
I wouldn’t beat yourself up about being “late”. Recommendations for mammography schedules have been dialed back in recent years and the new recommendations for low-risk women are for starting screening at 45 or 50 after discussions with your doctor.
Here are a couple of articles from last week that I found quite interesting.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/science-wont-settle-the-mammogram-debate/
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/10/21/450333627/why-is-mammogram-advice-still-such-a-tangle-ask-your-doctor
Luckily I’m still a few years off from any potential squishing, so maybe they’ll have a better (more accurate and less painful) diagnostic method by then. =)
Mrs PoP @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted…Catch-Up On My Cabinetry-Cation
The same week I went, new reports came out that said wait. But 3 years ago, when I was 40, the recommendation was start at 40. It’s been almost a week and no word from the radiologist. The mammographer said I would hear within a week if there was an issue, and they send a letter if there is no issue.
I don’t mean to make light of a very serious subject. Because Cancer is nothing to joke about, but your post made me think of the funniest picture: At work there is a picture of a big muscle bound cartoon man without a shirt. Muscles popping out all over the place. He looks like a character from the street fighter video games. Anyway right below the photo it says: “Yes, men have breasts too. Therefore they can also get breast cancer. Get checked.”
That photo makes me laugh for some reason. I do appreciate it though, because it serves as a reminder to everyone. Early detection is really the best thing to combat cancer.
So thanks for the reminder, Mrs. 1500. I’ll think of you now whenever I see that photo.
Men can get breast cancer too. Go have a mammogram, to get the full experience!
Thanks for the laugh.
Hello Mrs. 1500,
So glad you got your first mammo and that your experience was a positive one. Sounds like you are one of the lucky ones! Unfortunately, I must agree with Louise because I find the procedure to be quite painful. I have had about 15 mammos so far – some more painful than others. It may depend on the positioning of the plates or even on your time of the month. Regardless, I would beg to differ with your comment that “it doesn’t hurt or feel uncomfortable”. I do, however, agree that it is important to take care of yourself and have one done, especially if you are in high risk category.
Thanks for reading, MG.
The practitioner did say that the closer you are to the beginning or end of your cycle, the more painful it is. I was in the middle of mine, so perhaps that helped. I can certainly see how it would be more painful near the ends. Try to schedule your next one for the middle of your cycle, and talk to your practitioner about the pain. Maybe there is something else they could do? I’m sorry for your pain.
Great reminder Mrs. 1500!
As a daughter of a breast cancer survivor the doctors recommend that I start getting my checks earlier, ten years earlier than my mom’s age when her cancer was detected. And if there’s history in your family you can ask for instance your mom to get checked to see if they have one of the gene markers that can indicate a higher risk for the children. More knowledge can make you feel more prepared either way!
Christina recently posted…Back from Hawaii
Thanks Christina.
So glad you’re getting checked.
Hi to the Ladies & Thanks Mrs. 1500 for your post. Please do not worry about the discomfort of the Mammogram. Trust me, the discomfort from a mastectomy, due to cancer is far more serious. I am now 72, and my best friend of the same age just had a mastectomy, her lump being discovered early because of the mammogram. I don’t believe we should be told at what age they need to be done. I know of young women in their 20’s who needed surgery.
Please, please get your mammogram. It is a huge relief just to know someone else is checking your breasts besides your Dr. at your annual physical.
Thanks for listening.
Judy, this point is so true. Better the short-term discomfort of the mammogram than the long-term ramifications of breast cancer. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the reminder, but I agree with others that self-checks are probably more important than mammography at 43 because they have changed the guidelines… more people receive false positives than are diagnosed early with so many screenings. That being said, self exams are weird and I always just hope I’ll know something’s amiss because the whole description of rice vs. beans in the boob doesn’t make me feel like I know what I’m doing any better!
Maggie @ Northern Expenditure recently posted…The Story of My 33% Raise
I would say it’s a toss up, both my mom and grandma have fought breast cancer but also had several false positive each. I think the official terminology is “fibrous tissue”. They have fibrous boobs and if the trend continues I probably will too… Regardless of the extra hassle (and stress!) of getting a needle poke biopsy for a suspicious lump that ends up being benign I still think the mammograms are something everyone should do. Any chance to catch it sooner!
Christina recently posted…Back from Hawaii
When I was in the office, the practitioner told me that mammograms can detect cancerous cells when they are the size of a pencil dot, which are too small to be felt. The combination of frequent mammography and monthly self exams is the best approach.
I agree to the combo approach! A mammogram caught mom’s malignant lump extremely early, far before she would have been able to find it herself. Thank goodness too as it turned out to be a very aggressive form of cancer and catching it at such an early stage made the equally aggressive treatments that much more effective. She’s been in remission for about a decade now with no recurrence and still getting her regular checks (at home and at the doctor).
Christina recently posted…Kona Diving
I will have to say that mammograms are uncomfortable for me. But it lasts for SECONDS! Women, we are way tougher than to let that discourage us! In fact, one time when the pressure was released, I was massively red, almost “instantly bruised” (I am very fair). The tech kept apologizing. (It’s OKAY.) And, probably thanks to surgical menopause at 38, my breasts are not dense (notification of such is required in my state), so this is the one instance where I am glad for fatty tissue! (Dense tissue makes tumors harder to detect.). Get your mammograms, ladies. The discomfort is no reason not to.
As a person who’s breast cancer was detected by a mammogram about five years before I would have ever felt a lump, I can testify to the benefits of having them and admit to being pretty angry at new national recommendations that we don’t need them every year. That is simply a money savings effort due to Obamacare costs but cancer detection is one area where the early detection has a huge impact on the overall outcome and expense. I will continue to have them annually whether or not the cost is paid by insurance or by me.
Thank you for your post! I’m 44 years old and just recently had my first mammo. I put it off for several years because I heard about how painful it was then earlier this year a friend ( younger than me) and my boss were both diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m lucky to work for a company that brings a mobile mammo unit to the office for employees once a year so I dashed across the parking lot before I talked myself out of it. The nurses were amazing and the test was only slightly uncomfortable and over with in minutes. Got the results the next day and was scheduled for another mammo because of a spot on the left side then a stereo-biopsy. Thankfully it was not cancer but it could have been. I will never put off my annual mammo again.
If you’re worried about a mammogram, ask your husband/boyfriend/wife/girlfriend to give them a feel. I found a lump in my wife’s boob which turned out to be nothing bad but was still removed. The nurse said that that happens a lot (significant other finding the lump).
Chris @ Flipping a Dollar recently posted…No Noise November Challenge
My first mammogram was done by a student in training. Needless to say she didn’t get everything just right the first time and I think the person she was working with took her job very seriously, which she should. After going back and looking to make sure they got everything, they had to re-take a couple of times. It was my first mammogram, I didn’t really know what to expect, but the second time was much better!
Doing a regular mammogram is definitely a way to detect cancer early and start treatment as soon as possible to survive the disease. It is therefore highly recommended to do a mammogram, irrespective if its slightly uncomfortable.
However, is it not better to try to avoid getting it in the first place? Despite popular believe that it is primarily hereditary, lifestyle choices appear to have a far larger impact. See numerous studies about alcohol, processed red meat and a lack of fruits, vegetables and beans.
For those interested in what science has to say, check out this website made by an american MD with a passion for reading medical literature:
http://nutritionfacts.org/topics/breast-cancer/
Team CF recently posted…Dutch Taxes – Part 2: Box 1
Great reminder and great that you finally went in to get the mammogram. Will have to make sure Mrs. T goes in for mammogram once she reaches 40. 🙂
Tawcan recently posted…Dividend growth 2015
be aware that if you have dense tissue, there are alternate detection methods you should be aware of because mammograms likely will NOT detect rumors. Good to see that that at least one person lives in a state where it is required that they be notified if they have dense tissue, many (most) of us do not.
These alternate detection methods np may not be covered by your insurance, so check that out.
I’ve been getting yearly mammograms since I turned 35 as I have three relatives (mother and maternal aunt, paternal aunt) that have had breast cancer. My doctor at the time insisted starting me early so as to get the baseline set and catch any possible changes as early as possible. I see no point in testing for the cancer gene, and just assume I’ve got it and will most likely get cancer at some point.
I would never, ever, ever EVER skip a mammogram. It’s not even really uncomfortable, just a bit awkward for a few seconds leaning into the machine to get the angle right when they’re snapping the pics.
It isn’t painful, and it doesn’t take long at all. And it can save your life. 🙂
Wow I don’t know how I missed this post this is such an important topic. I wonder if it has to do with how up to date the machine is I know my mom ( over 50) did describe it as painful…
I’m trying to get into the habit of at least doing the by hand examination… Did you do that?
The Roamer recently posted…By: 31 Day Challenge Update | Traveling Wallet
I feel so sorry for people who have to go through this. But ladies, you got this. Do what’s necessary!
Getting a mammogram is a conversation I am willing to have. But do I really want one every single year?