Mammogram PSA

I’m having my annual mammogram this week. It’s not something I look forward to, but it’s an exercise I commit to without fail. Really, in Canada, there’s no reason not to. Annual mammograms are free for women forty and over. At least they are in my province. I believe they are across the board, but I shouldn’t speak to that when I haven’t looked into it.

I don’t know what the situation is in the States, but it boggles my mind that several provinces in my country (if not all the provinces) offer free annual mammograms to women over forty, and yet so many women continue not to take advantage of this service. I’ve offered to accompany friends who still refuse to go. No, your boobs aren’t too small. Yes, it can hurt if you have glandular breasts or schedule your mammogram for the wrong time of month (going in mid-cycle is best). Yes, the first time is embarrassing. Okay, every time is embarrassing. Just like pap smears are embarrassing. But the embarrassment lessens each time you have it done. Breasts are like teeth. To a mammogram technologist. Compared to a dentist. Think of it like that.

Now, go forth and have your boobs squished. Thank me later.

By Cindy

I'm irritated because my posts won't publish.

5 comments

  1. I have mind scheduled this week, too! 🙂

    I’ve been going annually since I was 32, because my mother died of breast cancer. We currently have a high deductible insurance plan (I think it’s $2700 now) but the mammogram is covered.

    And sure, it’s about 4 minutes of discomfort, but compared to other things, it’s a piece of cake, and I guarantee end-stage breast cancer is a great deal more unpleasant.

    Thanks for the PSA, Cindy! 🙂

  2. Natalie, yet another case of GMTA. I normally go around my birthday (mid-January) but I wasn’t here then. So I’m a month late this year.

    So sorry to hear about your mom. Hugs.

  4. Good for Canada! I’m a breast cancer survivor, and mine was discovered through a mammogram when I was 45. So I encourage everyone to get one taken yearly.

  5. Thanks for coming over and sharing that, Edie. It’s so, so important.

    I hate waiting for the results. It always makes me nervous. But I do know someone whose breast cancer was detected early through a mammogram, and she’s a survivor, too. That alone is enough to keep me going. Your story just confirms it. And Natalie’s story about her mother, too.

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