health
b e t t e r
A No-Excuses Guide
to Mammograms
The annual test is no fun, but it is essential.
by P A T R IC IA P R IJA T E L photo K A TH R Y N G A M B L E
WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE
about puttingyour breasts on a cold metal plate
and having them squished mercilessly? OK, there’s nothing to like—except that it
can save your life. “Mammograms are very effective at finding breast cancer early
when it has the potential to be most curable,” says Dr. Marisa Weiss, president
and founder of
Breastcancer.org.
In an online poll done by her organization for
Better Homes and Gardens
, 40 percent of respondents said their breast cancer
was discovered by mammogram, usually at either stage I or II, when the
prognosis is best. Yet 36 percent of the 1,018 women surveyed did not get regular
mammograms before they were diagnosed. Why? You may recognize the reasons.
“ PM TO O BUSY.”
No excuse
The procedure
only takes about 15 minutes.
Not getting one can take a
whole lot more of your time.
‘There’s a big difference
between a stage i cancer that
can be treated with surgery,
radiation, and hormone
therapy, and a stage 4 that is
incurable and requires ongoing
treatment,” says Dr. Therese
Bevers, medical director of
clinical cancer prevention at
the M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center in Houston. “If you
want to continue being very
busy, you need an annual
mammogram.”
“ IT S N O T IN M Y FAMILY.”
No excuse
The number of
cases due to genetics is actually
very much the minority. The
biggest risk factors are being a
woman and getting older.
“ I DO SELF-EX A M S .”
No excuse
Monthly self-
exams are essential, but as part
a pattern. ‘The best approach
is an annual digital mammogram,
a doctor’s exam, and your own
self-exam,” Weiss says. When
you do your self-exams, focus
on all changes, not just lumps.
If anything looks or feels
different, call a doctor.
“ PM T O O YO U N G.”
No excuse
Even though the
American Cancer Society wants
to see annual mammograms
beginning at age 40, some
women should start sooner.
Weiss suggests starting
younger if you have a family
history; Have your first
mammogram done 10 years
earlier than the age at which
the youngest affected family
member was diagnosed.
‘ T H E Y ’ RE PAINFUL.”
No excuse
You can control
the discomfort. “An
experienced radiology
technologist can work with you
to do the compression in
steps,” Weiss says, lessening the
sudden pinch that is so
uncomfortable to many
women. She also suggests
asking if the imaging tray can
be warmed, as well as
scheduling the test for a less
sensitive time in your cycle
(usually right after your period).
Taking pain medication an hour
before can help too. Some
centers, she says, use a new
device that softens the metal
with a foam pad. Ask for it
“ I C A N T A FFO R D IT.”
No excuse
The American
Cancer Society or Susan G.
Komen for the Cure can help
you find a no- or low-cost
option. Call the American
Cancer Society at 800/227-2345.
Visit Komen at
komen.org.
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS OCTOBER 2009 2 4 5
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