For many women, a mammogram may be an appointment that is easy to put off.
Busy schedules, fear of discomfort or anxiety about what a screening might find can make it tempting to wait. But during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Stillwater Medical is encouraging women to make their breast health a priority and stay up to date with recommended screenings.
Early detection can make a significant difference in breast cancer outcomes. When breast cancer is caught in its earliest, localized stages, the survival rate is 99%, according to the American Cancer Society.
“Even when you feel healthy and don’t have any concerns, staying on top of your screenings is an important part of taking care of yourself,” said Morgan Pingleton, mammography technologist. “It can be easy to put your own health on the back burner, but this is one appointment that can make a real difference.”
A screening mammogram is an X-ray examination used to look for changes in breast tissue that may indicate breast cancer. At Stillwater Medical, 3D digital mammography is available, providing detailed images that can help radiologists identify potential abnormalities.
During a routine screening, several images are taken of the breasts. The breast is briefly compressed between two plates while each image is captured. While the process can cause pressure or discomfort, the compression itself is brief.
“There can be some pressure and discomfort during the images, but it is very brief,” Pingleton said. “If something doesn’t feel right or a patient is uncomfortable, we want her to tell us. We’re here to work with her and make sure she feels comfortable throughout the exam.”
For women who have never had a mammogram, or those who may have delayed their screening, the experience can seem intimidating. Pingleton said patients should not feel embarrassed or afraid to ask questions.
“I think sometimes people build the mammogram up in their head to be something much scarier than it really is,” Pingleton said. “It’s a short appointment, and it’s an important step in taking care of yourself. We want women to know that we’re here to make the experience as comfortable and easy as possible.”
Another common concern is the possibility that a mammogram could find something abnormal.
But that possibility is also part of why screening is important.
For those whose screening does identify something that requires additional evaluation, early detection can provide an opportunity to address a potential concern sooner.
“One of the biggest fears people have is, ‘What if you find something?’” Pingleton said. “But finding something early is exactly why we screen. We would much rather find a concern when it’s small and give that patient the opportunity to address it, rather than have her wait because she was afraid of what we might find.”
For Melinda Wilson, breast cancer became a personal reality despite her commitment to regular healthcare.
“I’m pretty good about annual checkups,” Wilson said. “As soon as they put the ultrasound on me, and I saw what they were looking at, I knew it was not a nice little circle.”
Wilson’s experience is a reminder that staying current with routine appointments can help identify concerns that may otherwise go unnoticed. After her diagnosis, she underwent treatment and credits her family, friends and local care team with helping her through the journey.
Stillwater Medical provides comprehensive cancer care close to home for patients who need additional testing or treatment following a breast cancer diagnosis. Stillwater Cancer Center offers services including diagnosis and consultation, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, infusion services, nutritional support and supportive resources.
For Wilson, receiving that care close to home became an important part of her experience.
“Staying local with Stillwater Medical and knowing the people there, seeing people that I would see in my normal life,” Wilson said. “It just brings a lot of comfort.”
Her experience also reinforced the importance of having people to lean on during a serious diagnosis.
“You don’t beat cancer alone,” Wilson said. “You don’t beat cancer silent.”
The goal is to provide patients with coordinated care throughout their cancer journey — from diagnosis and treatment to survivorship — while surrounding them with a team that understands both the medical and personal aspects of cancer care.
But for women who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer, one of the most important steps remains simple: make the appointment.
“We know that coming in for a mammogram can feel vulnerable, and we don’t take that lightly,” Pingleton said. “Our goal is to make every patient feel comfortable, respected and cared for from the moment they walk through the door. We want women to leave knowing they did something important for themselves.”
Women should talk with their health care provider about their individual breast cancer risk and when they should begin or continue routine mammography. Screening recommendations can vary based on age, family history, personal health history and other risk factors.
Women should also talk with a health care provider if they notice a new lump or other changes in their breast, regardless of when their last mammogram was performed.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an annual reminder, but breast health is something worth prioritizing year-round.
“I want every woman to walk out of here feeling proud of herself for taking that step,” Pingleton said. “You’re doing something for your health, and you’re doing something for the people who love you.”
For more information about breast cancer screening and care at Stillwater Medical, visit www.stwmedical.com/breast-health.