Breast Cancer Awareness is evident everywhere you look. The colors for October have shifted from black and orange to pink, and all for a good cause. The saying “what you don’t know can’t hurt you” is not appropriate in all situations, and Breast Cancer is one of them.
This year I turned the big 4-0. I can’t say that I was excited about the event but it didn’t bother me like 35 did. I knew that when I got into my 40’s a few things would start to change. Usually your vision starts to get a little worse causing you to need reading glasses (mine is heading that way). Another one is that it is recommended that you get annual mammograms. After losing my grandmother to the disease and watching friends deal with it I knew that I needed to make sure that I did all that I could to detect it should I have it.
At a recent doctor’s visit, my doctor recommended that since I was turning 40 soon I should schedule a mammogram. They even went so far as following up with me to make sure I had scheduled it. I scheduled it right away and then waited nervously for the day to approach. Friends of mine had told me that it is not a pleasant experience. Of course thinking about it, is it really pleasant to have any body part smushed between to pieces of plexiglass? That is what I was envisioning, two pieces of glass coming together slowly with my breast caught in the cross fire.
Breast Cancer Awareness
I scheduled my appointment early in the morning so I could get it over with. I arrived at the doctor’s and nervously played Candy Crush while I waited for my name to be called. When it was called I went back to change my clothes and wait again. Nothing like prolonging the wait! When they were finally ready for me I took a deep breath and prayed it would be over quickly.
You can imagine my surprise when I found that it was not painful at all. It might have been a little bit uncomfortable with much of me just hanging out, but overall it was a quick and painless experience. After several photos from different angles my mammogram was done and I could breath easy. I left the center with the rest of the day to myself thinking this won’t be a bad exam each year, piece of cake, bring it on.
That attitude lasted until I received a call from my doctor telling me that I needed to go back in for another scan. To say the nervousness returned would be an understatement. My nervousness turned into being worried. Why would I need another scan? What did they find? They told me they had found some distortion in the image of my right breast. Well what the heck did that mean? The doctor told me another mammogram and ultrasound was scheduled for me.
Ok now what? What was I suppose to do? What if I had breast cancer? All of these were going through my head but I refused to answer them. I stayed calm and told myself there was nothing wrong. Inside, I just wanted to get back to the center and have another mammogram. Yes I was now WANTING to have a mammogram. When the day finally came I went back to the center, now knowing what to expect, and keeping my fingers crossed that it was nothing.
To my overwhelming delight after my mammogram the doctor said there was no need for an ultrasound. I asked what that meant? She said that means the scans were clean and I was all clear. It turns out that distortion means there was something detected or unclear that needs a closer look, it doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong or that it is cancer. When I told my mom she said they find it in her scans all the time. Maybe I should have spoken to her first!
My first mammogram was an experience to remember with feelings of worry and nervousness, but at the end of the day both feelings turned to relief that all was well. Now that I know what to expect I will no longer worry about my yearly mammograms. It may not be something I’m excited about doing but it is something I think is necessary and helpful in detecting breast cancer early.
Get Your Annual Mammogram
Hanes is partnering with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (website www.nationalbreastcancer.org) to help generate awareness among women like you and me about the importance of receiving mammograms. As a part of this effort, Hanes will be donating $50,000 to the NBCF.
This post was part of a campaign on behalf of Hanes and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
kymi a says
This is such an important post, I hope we can reach many women to get checked and do self breast exams too. Thank you for sharing.
Rachel says
Great post! Such an important thing for women to have checked !
Rhiannon Rowland says
I am glad your results came back with good news! I also didn’t find the mammogram to be as terrible as I had heard. I am always bugging my friends and family to have their done, I don’t want them to go through what I have gone through! Thanks for such a great post! <3
Donna says
How awesome of Hanes! I knew there was a reason (other than comfy clothing) I loved them so much!
ellen beck says
Sometimes it depends on when your cyce is, if you have fibrocystic breasts, a lot of things can afffect a scan. I remember I had to have an ulrasound once and was scared but everything was clean.
Youre right too aboiut it really not hurting although smaller breasted women in can be a tad tougher for since they gotta get a bt closer.
I get mine yearly!
Liz Mays says
I’m overdue for another one and I have got to get it scheduled. Thanks for the nudge.
Ty says
I had a scare earlier this year and i totally freaked out! This is so important and women should have theirs checked out. Thanks for this!
Tiffany Dover says
This is great! I’ve never given myself an exam but I need to learn how. Only times I’ve ever had one was when I had to get physicals for school and when I was pregnant both times!
shelly peterson says
Reading this post is a good reminder for me that I need to schedule an exam and now kind of know what to expect, since I have never had one done yet. So glad yours came out with good results.
Tammy says
I had my baseline taken at 35 I’m turning 41 this year and just scheduled my routine screening for later next month. Thankfully we have no family history of breast cancer, so at least I don’t have that to worry about.
Crystal says
I’m so glad to hear that it went well. I’ve never had one, but I know that my day is coming. It’s relieving knowing what to expect, so I’m grateful you were willing to share your experience.