After you turn 40 your doctor says you need a mammogram each year. But do you really need one each year?
“Yes,” said Alyssa Anderson, CNP, and breast patient navigator with Avera Cancer Institute. “Mammograms are the best tool we have to catch cancer or other breast abnormalities early – before an individual can even feel something going on in their breast.”
In her role as a breast patient navigator, Anderson walks beside hundreds of women each year as they go through breast cancer treatments. So, she witnesses outcomes when breast cancer is detected early … and when it is not.
Debunking Common Reasons Women Skip Their Mammogram
- Why is early detection important? If I am going to get breast cancer, what good is it to know this year versus next year?
Early detection of breast cancer generally means there may be more treatment options, and the treatments are more successful. Overall, earlier detection results in better outcomes.
- None of the women in my family have had breast cancer, so why do I need a yearly mammogram?
If you have breast tissue, you are at risk for developing breast cancer. And most breast cancers –approximately 90% – are not hereditary. Data estimates that 310,720 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024.
- I live in a rural community, so I may not have convenient access to a mammogram. What are my options?
When you call to schedule we'll find a location that is convenient. Many clinics in the Avera footprint offer mammograms. And if they don't, the Avera mobile mammogram clinic may be scheduled for a day in your community.
- I want to get a mammogram, but aren’t they expensive?
All women aged 40 and over need mammograms each year, and screening mammograms are among recommended screenings that are typically covered at 100% by most insurance plans. Medicare covers screening mammograms as well. If you are uninsured or have insurance that does not cover all the cost of a mammogram and your budget is tight, Avera staff can help connect you with financial assistance options. You can call 888-422-1410 for information.
- I feel a lump in my breast, but my annual mammogram is a few months out. Should I wait or call to schedule a diagnostic mammogram?
If you feel a change in your breast tissue, it is important to talk to your health care provider about what you are feeling right away. Mammograms are the best tool that we have for detecting breast cancer. But they are not perfect. So, it is really important, if you feel something, to discuss it with your provider right away so the best test can be ordered to evaluate what you are feeling.
- Mammograms use radiation to screen for breast cancer. Doesn’t radiation cause cancer? I don’t want to be exposed to radiation.
Yes, mammograms do use radiation to take images of your breasts. But it is a miniscule amount. Did you know we are all exposed to radiation in the natural world? In fact, the radiation you receive from a mammogram is the same amount that you are exposed to every seven weeks in the natural world.
- My friend said her mammogram was painful. Does a mammogram hurt?
Every woman’s pain tolerance is different, just because your friend found her mammogram to be painful does not mean yours will be. If you are worried, please let the mammogram tech know. It is their goal to ensure your mammogram is as quick and painless as possible – while still providing clear images to the radiologist. I have found if you are still menstruating, that if you schedule your mammogram appointment for a week after your menstrual cycle, it can be more comfortable.
- I have been getting a mammogram every year since I turned 40, and they have all been good. Is it safe to skip one year?
You are wise to continue getting a mammogram each year. As women, we often place others’ priorities ahead of taking care of ourselves. The simple answer is, getting a yearly mammogram is important. Women who consistently get an annual mammogram make it easier for the radiologists to pick out small changes that may be reason for concern. Each year when the radiologist reviews your mammogram images, your current mammogram images are compared to previous images to make sure subtle changes are detected. From my experience as a breast patient navigator, I know that women who are diagnosed with breast cancer who have gotten their annual mammograms are thankful their mammogram caught it. Along with providing you and your health care providers with an update on your breast health, getting an annual mammogram provides peace of mind.
- I don’t feel comfortable having my breasts exposed. Is this really necessary?
Avera understands this and this is the reason Avera’s mammogram technicians are all women. And our mammogram technicians understand getting a mammogram can make you feel vulnerable, so know that your comfort is a high priority. And so is getting a clear image of your breast tissue. To get a clear image of your breasts necessary to detect breast cancer, your breasts cannot be covered while the mammogram is happening but they can be covered in between pictures.
- What happens if an abnormality is detected?
Remember, most abnormal findings on a mammogram do not turn out to be cancer. So don’t immediately jump to conclusions. You would have additional diagnostic tests as needed to rule out breast cancer, which may include ultrasound, diagnostic mammogram, and/or advanced breast imaging such as a contrast enhanced spectral mammogram (CESM) or breast MRI. You may also have a biopsy, which is a tiny tissue sample to check the cells under a microscope. If in fact you are diagnosed with cancer, take a deep breath and know that you are not in this alone. Our team of experts review each woman’s case and work with you to determine the best treatment path forward.
- Do I need to ask my doctor before scheduling a mammogram or can I schedule one myself?
You can schedule your yearly mammogram on your own. Avera works to make this simple. You can schedule on our website or call 888-422-1410. Typically, our schedulers will work with you to find a time and location that works with your life and schedule.
