More and more women are complaining to their girlfriends about the unpleasantness they experience while getting a mammogram.
Is there something strange going on here? Are mammography facilities turning into dens of sadomasochists? No. But there is a good reason for the tighter compression you may experience - no, I hope you'll experience - during your next mammogram.
The leading cause of medical lawsuits nowadays is a delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer. So the pressure is on at facilities where this diagnosis is made to ensure that mammograms are done well. By well, I mean thoroughly. This requires compression and quite a bit of it — the firmer the compression, the better quality will be the image that's captured.
There is no worse experience for a mammography technician than telling a patient that her breast cancer has been there for years despite her faithfully getting annual mammograms.
It's just that the quality of the images wasn't good enough in the past to see the tumor — and those images were unclear because the breast had not been compressed adequately. By tightly compressing the breast tissue so it's as flat as possible, the mammo tech is more able to get a clear image of it.
Imagine trying to look down through three feet of water for a ring that has slipped off your finger. If the water is muddy, you won't be able to spot that precious piece of jewelry because you simply won't be able to see any details at that depth. If, however, the muddy water is just six inches deep, your chances of finding your ring are much, much better.
How can you endure such tight compression? If you have really sensitive breasts, consider taking Tylenol one hour before your mammogram appointment. And remember that the compression lasts only for a few seconds — it's not as if the mammo tech is compressing your breast between the mammo paddles and then darting out for lunch!
Your goal is to have a good quality mammogram that accurately and completely shows the radiologist exactly what may be lurking inside it. So, the next time you are gritting your teeth against this particular pain, instead of complaining about the degree of compression, thank the mammo tech for doing a good job. She is trying to save your life (and your breast)!
