My Mammogram Journey: What to Expect and Why It’s Worth It
By Dr. Heather Evans - Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist at Empower Your Pelvis, in Kansas City, Missouri (Lee Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)
It’s National Check-Up Day, and this year, I turned 40, which meant it was time for my first mammogram! Since many of our readers and patients are women, I wanted to share my experience to help demystify the process and, hopefully, encourage those who need this test to take the step.
Step One: The Paperwork
Like most medical appointments, the first step was the paperwork. Everything was straightforward, but one question caught my eye: “Have you had a vaccine in the past few weeks? If so, in which arm?” This surprised me! After a recent vaccine, there may be temporary lymph node swelling, which can appear on a mammogram. So, if you’ve been vaccinated recently, it’s worth mentioning when you schedule. Other questions on the form covered family history of breast cancer (both of my grandmothers, in my case), and if I’ve been pregnant or breastfed.
A Welcoming Environment
Next, I was called back to a cozy waiting room that felt surprisingly warm and inviting. The walls were decorated with framed, bejeweled bras in a variety of colors and styles, each with uplifting messages. Some messages made me laugh, others brought a tear to my eye, and all of them reminded me of the courage and support that exists in this community. If I were facing a more challenging diagnosis, I knew that this show of solidarity would have been a comforting reminder of the strength around me.
The Mammogram Process
Soon, it was my turn. I changed into a drape in a private room and followed the technician, a warm and friendly professional, into the mammogram room. She explained that she would take images from several angles. As we began, she helped me position my first breast onto a small ledge, and another ledge gently came down to secure it for the image. Yes, there was some pressure—but nothing unbearable. Each image took only a few seconds, and in total, I was finished in under five minutes! If I had to rate the discomfort, it would be about a 0.1 out of 10.
The Results
After my mammogram, I changed back and headed home. A few hours later, I received an email with my results: all clear, and a reminder to follow up next year.
Why Mammograms Matter
So, here’s the takeaway: Mammograms are essential in detecting breast cancer early, and the whole process—paperwork included—took less than 30 minutes. No significant pain, just a little squish! If you’re due for a mammogram, don’t wait. Take this step for your health and peace of mind.
Make that call today. You’ve got this!
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With wellness in your pelvis-
Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT
Owner, Empower Your Pelvis, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic in Kansas City (Lee’s Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)