Before my cancer diagnosis, I actually had never had a mammogram. I wasn’t even sure what exactly I was nervous about but I just knew that most women I heard talking about mammograms didn’t like them very much. Did I know why exactly? Not a chance! But there must be something horrible about this exam if women are complaining about it. I won’t make you wait until the end to tell you that my first mammogram wasn’t horrible at all. Like any exam, there are things I wish I knew beforehand so I could be better prepared. My hope is that you learn from my experiences which ultimately lessens your anxiety level. Let’s get into it…
1. Don’t wear deodorant, perfumes, powders, etc. to your mammogram
With anxiety being so high, I would normally recommend deodorant before leaving home. Turns out deodorants, perfumes, powders and lotions of any kind around the breast area can show up on your mammogram as calcifications (aka spots). Smelling like peonies is probably not worth sabotaging your actual test results and having to retake the test to get peace of mind.
If you can’t risk leaving the house without deodorant, walk with wipes to give yourself a quick “wipe down” before the exam. Ideally, I suggest packing your deodorant so you can apply after the mammogram and be about your business.
2. You only need to undress from the waist up
Doctor’s appointments don’t bother me one bit but there is something that can throw me all the way off. If I have to take off more clothes than I was mentally prepared for, it can take me a minute to regroup. Just in case you’re anything like me, I thought I would do you a favor and let you know maybe for your first mammogram you leave the romper at home.
The technician handed me one of those disposable shirts that seriously remind me of Branch’s (from Trolls) vest. close in the front and gave me a few minutes to remove my shirt and bra. A couple of knocks later and we were ready to get started.
3. You and the mammogram lab technician will get very familiar
Mammograms are typically a two person appointment: you and the technician. I have only had female technicians thus far so I am not sure if male techs exist in this space but it might be something to ask about before your appointment.
You’re going to have to leave your inhibitions at the door. Based on protocol, the tech should verbally give you a heads up about what they are going to do before placing any hands on your body. But this is a very handsy appointment. I’m talking both hands on one of your boobs with eye contact and a smile. As long as they are professional, it should not feel too weird. Just letting you know this is a full contact sport.
4. There is a bit of squeezing involved
Now, here is the tricky part. Breasts are placed in between two plates and then compressed to an acceptable level by the technician. I can see where women with large and/or perky breasts could feel a little pain or discomfort here. I have God and my kids to thank for my small, saggy boobs so I didn’t have many issues with the squeezing. Good news is you’re only in each position for approximately 10 seconds so it’ll be over before you know it. You got this, girl!
I do have two special notes with regards to alleviating some breast discomfort in certain situation. Try to avoid scheduling your mammogram the week before your period because the tenderness and swelling can be real. For my ladies with or considering implants, the location of your implant can affect your screening appointment. Please discuss the best option for imaging with your doctor beforehand.
5. Make sure you stretch a little before your mammogram
When women think of a mammogram, the emphasis is on the breast area. As a girl who found a lump under her armpit, the surface area of a mammogram covers more than just our chest. You might think there is another attachment to capture images of that armpit area but there isn’t. So our new friend, the tech, has to make that portion of your body fit. If you take ballet regularly, then you’ll be great. For the rest of us that maybe haven’t done a plie since Kindergarten, a little light stretching couldn’t hurt. You’ll thank me later!
6. You’ll have to hold your breath
This was the most surprising part of my first mammogram. I just couldn’t believe that this never came up in my 37 years of life. Once the tech gets you in the appropriate position, you not only hold the pose (think America’s Next Top Model) but you also hold your breath until the tech calls time. Don’t panic. It’s somewhere between 5 to 10 seconds which is shorter than I’ve held my breath to cure the hiccups. It definitely wasn’t a problem but again, because I was completely surprised by it, it took me a few seconds to wrap my brain around the concept. Now, you’ll be ready for it.
7. Getting mammogram results may take a day or two
Based on where you live, results can vary from immediately up to 2 days. The technician in the room sometimes needs a more senior tech to read and confirm the results. In my case, my results were sent (virtually) to a lab on the mainland for confirmation. Then, my final results were sent to my doctor and not given directly to me. I know it sounds like a lot of cooks in the kitchen but the entire process took less than 48 hours. Depending on your location, you may get your results right away. But as always, it’s good to ask this question prior to the appointment to avoid the worrying altogether.
8. Understanding breast density is important
No matter how long you have to wait for results, the process can be nerve-wracking. I was nervous, of course, but receiving an inconclusive outcome due to dense breasts made me downright scared. What the heck were dense breasts and why did I never hear this term before? Breast density refers to the amount of fibrous or glandular tissue compared to fatty tissue within the breast. High amounts of fibrous or glandular tissue correlate to a higher breast density. Because that tissue can present itself in the same way as tumors on mammograms, cancer is more likely to be missed. According to the National Cancer Institute, about half of women who are 40 years old or older have dense breasts (click here to read more). It is quite common and means follow up testing such as an ultrasound could be ordered. Another gem we should be talking about more with our daughters, nieces and friends.
Well, guys. That’s all I have for today. I really hope this information was not only helpful to you but that you feel much more prepared mentally your first mammogram. Please let me know if I missed anything crucial in the comments and feel free to share this post with your loved ones. The goal is to remove as much fear and stigma from understanding our bodies so that we can truly live our best lives. Stay in tune, friends!
Great post as always. Very useful. Thanks.
This is such a helpful post! Especially for younger women who may not routinely have to have a mammogram, it gives such clear and helpful tips about how to prepare for one if needed. Great work Melissa! You are truly an inspiration and I know many women will be touched by your sweet soul.