My 1st Mammogram Was Easy! 10 Reasons You Should Get Your Breasts Checked
Put on your big girl panties, take off your bra, and complete your mammogram! I recently turned the magical age of 40, and every woman knows that means! Time to get my breasts checked! I was very anxious to get my first mammogram because I was worried it would hurt and I didn’t want to receive any bad news. My plate is already full enough!
I also fundamentally understood that not getting a mammogram wasn’t an option for me, and I needed to go despite all of my fears. I went, survived and now I want to encourage others to go.
“My name is Kiki, and I’m the best. My OB said to check my breasts!”
-Me
Despite my fear, I got it done. It was a breeze! Sure, it was physically uncomfortable at times, but I was in and out within 20 minutes. When all was said and done, I felt so relieved and proud of myself for accomplishing something I was nervous about. Having known (and currently know) so many women that have struggled with breast cancer, I want to remind everyone why it is so important to see this through!
Here are the reasons you should get a mammogram too
1- The American Cancer Society and doctors recommend it. Women over the age of 40 should begin a regular screening, possibly earlier for those with family history of breast cancer. I don’t know about you, but if the American Cancer Society tells me I need it, they don’t have to repeat themselves. Excuse me while I go to see about my girlfriends!
2- Lumps and abnormalities can’t always be detected through physical exams. Sometimes your doctor can find lumps during a routine breast exam. But sometimes they cannot. So how can you relax if you don’t have all the information? In this case, less is not more. Mammograms will look beyond the physical exam and can detect missed abnormalities. Find out out as much as you can so you are well-informed about your lady lumps!
3- You don’t want to be a statistic. The average woman has a 13% chance of developing breast cancer in her life. With statistics that high, I AM NOT okay missing an opportunity to see if I’m in that statistic. Completing the exam gives me the best hopes at learning more about my body and whether my sugar plums need further attention.
4- You’re in an out! A typical mammogram only takes about 30 minutes. What else do you spend 30 minutes on? Probably everything under the sun and I bet most of it isn’t as important as a mammogram. If you have time to surf social media or browse Netflix looking for that next great series, you can spare a few minutes to get your love muffins checked.
5- Early detection leads to more treatment options. Sometimes breast cancer has symptoms such as a lump or pain, but other times there is no way to know unless you have a mammogram. Early detection is key, because it gives us the best chance at treating the cancer. If the cancer goes undetected, there is a risk of it spreading to other parts of the body. Also, early detection increases treatment options. Waiting too late can be detrimental. For these reasons, GO! Give your Betty Boops the attention they need NOW.
6- Yearly mammograms help to identify changes to your breasts. Getting your first mammogram is key because it will serve as your baseline data. Each year the radiologists will compare the scans and watch for change. If there is no first screening of your swag bags, there is nothing to compare! So take that first step for the record.
7- Risk increases with time. As much as we’d like to stay endlessly young and fly, the hard truth is that we aren’t getting any younger (although my fly has no shelf-life). Because the risk of breast cancer increases as we age and most women are diagnosed after the age of 50, it is critical to begin screening our tatas as early as possible so there are no surprises later.
8- Regular screenings can save your breasts. If a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, there is a possibility she will have to have a mastectomy to remove one or both breasts. I love having my breasts. So regular mammograms and early detection will give me the best opportunity to keep Thelma & Louis present and fully in-tact!
9- Mammograms save lives and reduce deaths. Since 1990, breast screenings have reduced cancer-related deaths in the U.S. by 30%. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to die right now! I want to optimize my living and extend my life as much as possible. I have things to do, people to meet, and goals to accomplish and I need my love buds in good shape! So mind your rack!
10. You can be the next role model. This is my favorite. I went to get a mammogram in part because my doctors recommended it, and in part because so many of my friends had gone before me and lived to tell about it. Get your twins Dolce & Gobanna checked and then encourage the rest of us!
So Sis I ask you, WHY NOT? I can’t think of a single good reason to dodge your mammogram. So put on your big girl panties, take off your bra, and complete your mammogram.
