Summer Self-Care: Why Your Breast Health Matters Now
| Always Putting Everyone Else First? It’s Time to Put Yourself on the Calendar. |
Summer has arrived, and with it comes the beautiful chaos of family vacations, backyard barbecues, and endless activities with the kids. Your calendar is filling up fast, and somewhere between packing sunscreen and planning the next adventure, that little reminder about your mammogram appointment gets pushed to the back of your mind.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
As women, we’re natural caregivers. We ensure everyone else’s needs are met first—the kids receive their check-ups, our partners remember their appointments, and we even schedule the dog’s vet visits. But when it comes to our own health? That can wait, right?
Here’s the truth: Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
Your family needs you to be healthy, strong, and present. And that means prioritizing your breast health, even during the busiest summer months.
Why Summer is the Perfect Time for Your Mammogram
Contrary to what you might think, summer’s more relaxed pace makes it an ideal time to prioritize your health. Here’s why:
Flexible Scheduling: With kids out of school and potentially more flexible schedules, you might find it easier to carve out time for this vital appointment you may have been postponing.
Peace of Mind for Your Adventures: Starting your summer with a clean bill of health means you can fully enjoy every beach day, camping trip, and family gathering without that nagging worry in the back of your mind.
| Getting Ready for Your Mammogram: What You Need to Know |
Preparing for your mammogram is simpler than you might think, but there are a few considerations:
- Skip the Lotions and Deodorants: On the day of your appointment, refrain from applying deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, lotions, or perfumes on your chest area. These products can show up as white spots on the mammogram images. Pro tip: Keep some deodorant in your car for after the appointment!
- Choose Your Outfit Wisely: Wear a two-piece outfit so you only need to undress from the waist up. A comfortable top that’s easy to remove will make the process smoother.
- Time It Right: If you’re still menstruating, try to schedule your mammogram for the week after your period when your breasts are least likely to be tender.
Understanding Your Mammogram Schedule: Annual Screening Guidelines
At CRL Women’s Imaging, we adhere to evidence-based guidelines that recommend annual mammogram screenings starting at age 40 for women at average risk of breast cancer. This recommendation is strongly supported by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging, which state that annual screenings offer the greatest reduction in mortality, allow for earlier diagnoses, provide better surgical options, and lead to more effective chemotherapy.
Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or those with other risk factors, may need to begin screening earlier or undergo screenings more frequently. Your doctor will help determine the appropriate schedule for you. Remember, mammograms can identify abnormalities before they become noticeable to you or your healthcare provider through physical examination, so it’s crucial to schedule regular screenings rather than waiting until symptoms develop.
What to Expect During a Mammogram
Many women hesitate to schedule mammograms because they are unsure of what to expect. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:
- Check-in and Preparation: When you arrive, you will complete a brief health questionnaire, if you haven’t already done so through the CRL Women’s Imaging patient portal. A technologist will then greet you in the waiting room and escort you to a private dressing room, where you will change into a hospital gown that opens in the front.
- Positioning: A technologist will escort you to the exam room, guide you to the mammography machine, and assist with positioning your breast on the imaging plate.
- Compression: A second plate will lower from above to compress your breast tissue. While this may cause brief discomfort, compression is essential for producing clear, high-quality images and typically lasts only 10-15 seconds.
- Multiple Views: Typically, two views are taken of each breast—from top to bottom and side to side.
- Review: Your mammogram exam will take about 20 minutes. Once the radiologist has reviewed your images, the results will be sent to your doctor and made available to you through our patient portal.
By understanding what to expect, you can feel more prepared and less anxious about your mammogram.
| Debunking Common Mammogram Myths |
Myth: Mammograms are painful.
Truth: While compression can be uncomfortable, most women describe it as pressure rather than pain. The discomfort lasts only seconds and is necessary for accurate imaging.
Myth: Mammogram radiation is dangerous.
Truth: A mammogram uses a very small, safe amount of radiation—less than a cross-country US flight or about the same as what you naturally absorb from your environment (sunlight, soil, building materials) over seven weeks of everyday living.
Myth: Mammograms aren’t accurate.
Truth: Modern digital mammography is highly accurate. The Susan G. Komen Foundation, a leading breast cancer authority with over 40 years of research expertise, reports that “the sensitivity of mammography is about 87%”, meaning mammography correctly identifies about 87% of women who have breast cancer. Combined with other screening tools when needed, detection rates can be even higher.
Myth: If I don’t feel a lump, I don’t need a mammogram.
Truth: Mammograms can detect cancers up to two years before a lump can be felt. Early detection through annual mammography screening saves lives.
| Understanding Your Results: What Do Those Categories Mean? |
Mammogram results use a standardized system called BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System):
- BI-RADS 1: Normal—no significant abnormalities
- BI-RADS 2: Benign findings—normal result with non-cancerous findings noted
- BI-RADS 3: Probably benign—short-term follow-up recommended
- BI-RADS 4: Suspicious abnormality—biopsy recommended
- BI-RADS 5: Highly suggestive of malignancy—biopsy strongly recommended
- BI-RADS 6: Known malignancy—for tracking during treatment
Most women receive BI-RADS of 1 or 2. If you receive a higher category, remember that many abnormalities turn out to be benign; however, follow-up is important.
| When Additional Imaging Might Be Recommended |
Sometimes, the radiologist may recommend additional imaging such as breast ultrasound, MRI, or advanced biopsy procedures. This doesn’t automatically indicate that something is wrong. Additional imaging may be recommended in the following situations:
- You have dense breast tissue, which can make mammogram reading more challenging.
- A specific area needs closer examination.
- You have implants that require special imaging techniques.
- Your family history or genetic factors indicate that additional screening would be beneficial.
At CRL Women’s Imaging, we offer comprehensive diagnostic services, including Upright Stereotactic Biopsy and Tomosynthesis Stereotactic Biopsy when needed. Our 3D mammography technology is particularly effective for examining dense breast tissue and can help distinguish between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts with greater precision than traditional 2D mammography.
| Your Health is Not Negotiable |
You’re Not Alone in This Journey
At CRL Women’s Imaging, we understand that healthcare can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why our technologists and nurse navigator will provide you with guidance and support during your appointment and beyond. Our team is here to help you understand your results, coordinate follow-up care if needed, and ensure you feel supported throughout your breast health journey.
We’ve also created a unique “Bring A Friend” mammogram program because we know that having support makes everything easier. Schedule your appointment together with a friend—it’s a wonderful way to prioritize your health while strengthening your friendships.
This summer, as you’re planning beach trips and family barbecues, add one more item to your calendar: your mammogram appointment. Because the most important gift you can give your family isn’t the perfect vacation photos or the most elaborate summer party—it’s the gift of your continued health and presence in their lives.
You spend so much time taking care of everyone else. Now, it’s time to take care of you.
Take Action Today
Don’t let another summer slip by without prioritizing your breast health. Schedule your mammogram appointment today—because your family needs you to be healthy and strong.
Ready to schedule? Contact CRL Women’s Imaging to book your appointment at 952-915-4320 or request an appointment online. Our caring team of board-certified breast imaging specialists and dedicated technologists makes the process as comfortable and convenient as possible.
About CRL Women’s Imaging
CRL Women’s Imaging is a leader in outpatient imaging and designated as Breast Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Our team of dedicated, board-certified breast imagers with broad expertise and a genuine interest in breast imaging and our knowledgeable technologists certified in mammography and ultrasound are committed to provide our patients with the high-quality compassionate care they can trust.
“Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. And with the tools of 3D mammography/tomosynthesis and supplemental screening breast ultrasound we are better equipped than ever to positively impact women’s health.”
– Jillian Karow, MD, Medical Director, CRL Women’s Imaging