Guess what totally barbaric screening exam I had yesterday… The technician assured me I won’t always be so… square. Kidding, but now that I have your attention…
In the last 6 months I have had 3 friends diagnosed with breast cancer. Three young friends.
Friends, we are there. We are at the age where it’s time to be proactive in our health if we aren’t already. My mom was 33ish at her diagnosis which she found because she felt it. She then had to convince people that she needed to be taken seriously.
Did you know…
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. Currently, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 12%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer.” (ACS)
Are mammograms fun, nope. Are they the worst thing ever, nope. The technicians are always very kind and attempt to be as gentle and respectful of your privacy as they can, while simultaneously using a large cold plastic machine to flatten and hold part of your body with what the machine says is 17lbs of pressure. They usually take 4 pictures. Yesterday I got two extras of the side area since I changed mammogram facilities (I said “side boob” but the lady had a much less crass term for it that I can’t recall.)
I read a comment once that compared the mammogram to having to ice cold book ends attached and then a car backing over them. That seems pretty accurate to me.
In all honesty they are over in about 10 mins. Sadly, they are what we have as technology for detection currently that insurance is willing to pay for. It’s is suggested that all women have them yearly by age 45, with the option to start at 40 if they want to. If you have a higher than average risk you should talk to your doctor about earlier screenings, and maybe even consider genetic testing. Because of my family history I did. Not just for me, but so my kids have a better idea of their risk down the road.
So I got my mammogram yesterday, today I got my MRI (which I actually have a near panic attack over). I am high risk because of family history so I’m being proactive. I try to focus on the fact that I’m being a ginormous pansy about the MRI and that I’m blessed that this is just a screening for me and not because I am actually sick.
So because I love you all, please consider getting your mammograms and regular check ups. Do your self exams. Remind those around you the same. Next year when it’s this time ask me if I have my MRI scheduled and tell me to put on my big girl pants and do it.
Ps-I feel like if squishing any part of the male body was a yearly test then there might suddenly be an urgency to develop a less aggressive test. Side eye.
#spongelaurensquarebra
#areyousupposedtotakethetissuesoutofthebox
#nowdontmoveandholdyourbreath
***Edited to add-
My friend Diana mentioned that her doctor actually wants the initial one done at 35 now! I got my first at 24 so I’ve been getting them for a few years (I’m :::only cough cough::: 28ish, ok fine 38) and didn’t know that new info.***