Shortly after my fiftieth birthday I went for my first mammogram.
Recently the Ontario Breast Cancer Screening Program expanded the criteria for self referrals to ages 40-74.
Risks vary for breast cancer so some folks are referred by their healthcare provider at earlier ages.
You can get great information from your local public health or cancer society about breast cancer screening.
Canadian Cancer Society Get Screened for Breast Cancer
I’m very fortunate to live in a city with imaging services throughout. I was able to get an appointment within 1 week just 1 kilometer from my home and work.
I was nervous. I had heard stories of cold metal plates, awful squeezing and even bruising or blistering.
My experience could not have been more opposite of that. The clinic was small and specialized in mammograms. The technician collected me from the waiting room at exactly my appointment time. I was given clear instructions on what to remove and how to put the gown on.
Once in the imaging room, the technician reviewed my medical history. They explained the screening program and ensured I understood and consented to participating.
The imaging itself took maybe 5 minutes. The technician gave clear instructions and helped position each breast.
The machine was warm, the edges beveled and comfortable to be against. The compression was mild.
I have fairly large, wide breasts. They look like the ones on goddess statues, flat and pointed down. These are fifty year old boobs that nursed babies a long time ago. They have seen things.
I was out the door 10 minutes after my appointment started. Easy! I spoke with two other friends who recently had their first mammograms. They had similar experiences. We decided that mammograms need a positive PR campaign.
“Come get your boobs imaged! It’s not so bad!”
And. Who knows? Maybe my privilege of being in a well served community is a positive bias.
I hope, if you are of an age where your public health department recommends getting a mammogram, that you go. It’s important.
Yes, it is scary to think you might have breast cancer, especially if you have close relatives and friends who have gotten a breast cancer diagnosis. Honestly, early detection is coined as “prevention” as it can avoid more serious interventions but it’s still cancer.
So connect with your supports. Friends, primary health care providers and anyone else so that you can go and get screened. I hope this helps it feel a little less scary.
