Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by Woman’s and written by Deborah Baucom.
Forty? It’s Time for a Mammogram this Mardi Gras Season!
Thoughts from a mom after completing her first mammogram.
If you are a woman nearing forty or like me, recently celebrated a milestone birthday, it’s time to take an important step in prioritizing your health: scheduling your annual mammogram appointment! A mammogram is an x-ray image of your breasts used for breast cancer screening or diagnostic purposes. 
As a healthcare employee, I hear all kinds of messages about the importance of screening mammograms for the prevention and early detection of breast cancer. Still, I waited six months after my 40th birthday to make that call! Why? As a working mom, it’s easy to prioritize the health and wellbeing of my children and family over myself. But because I know I’m critical to the functioning of my family, and because I know 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime, I completed my first mammogram on October 27.
If you’ve never had a mammogram before, you are probably wondering what the process is like. Is it awkward? Does it hurt? Let me put you at ease; the staff at Woman’s are experts and are there to make the process as quick and comfortable as possible. When it was time for my mammogram, a staff member greeted me and led me back to Woman’s Imaging department where I was provided with a private dressing room and locker space. I was instructed to remove my deodorant with wipes and change into a long-sleeved jacket that buttoned in the front.
A mammography technologist quickly met me outside my changing room and led me to a nearby room for my test. At Woman’s, mammogram rooms are designed to put women at ease. There is soft music playing and calming, feminine decorations. Once inside, my technologist asked me a few questions about my overall breast health and family history and then we got down to business. For the exam, my technologist had me stand in front of the mammogram machine, which was adjusted for my height, and then placed my breasts, one at a time, on a platform. She helped me get in the best position possible for a successful x-ray and then used a clear plastic plate to “squish” my breasts. This is the only part of a mammogram that can be uncomfortable, but I did not find it painful, and this portion of the test was over very quickly.
After the x-rays were taken, my mammogram was complete. The technologist explained to me that my results would be sent to my gynecologist, who would review them and contact me if an abnormality was detected or if diagnostic imaging was necessary. I was led back to my changing room and moments later, I was out the door. Altogether, my mammogram took under an hour to complete and to me, felt less invasive than a dental cleaning!
Mardi Gras is a time to celebrate life and Woman’s should definitely be your mammogram krewe! Now that I’ve gotten my first mammogram out of the way, I no longer feel nervous about adding this annual test to the list of things I do regularly to take care of myself and ensure I’m functioning at my best for myself and my family. From one woman to another, I encourage you to mambo over to the Woman’s Imaging Center for their second annual Mardi Gras Mamm-o-thon. As a lagniappe, all participants will receive a Mardi Gras giveaway. I’ve made my mammograms a priority, and you should, too!
Schedule Your Mammogram TODAY!
