debunking the myths of mammography

Myth: Mammograms are painful.

Prior to her first mammogram, Mary, like so many other women, heard that mammograms were not pleasant experiences. However, taking the advice of her physician, Mary overcame her uncertainty, scheduled her first mammogram and has been having them annually for more than ten years. Now, Mary considers her annual mammogram to be "one of her easiest appointments."

Many women neglect to schedule their mammograms for fear of the pain that they will feel during the procedure. While Mary acknowledges that there is some discomfort during a mammogram, she feels that "the procedure is so fast, with the compression lasting only about five seconds - I'm able to endure that!" Chief mammography technologist at Virginia Women's Center, Michele Rolle, remarks that "for most women, a mammogram is not as painful as they anticipate that it will be. Some women have discomfort and others have none." Additionally, Michele likes to remind her patients that "they are in control." She encourages women to communicate with their technologists and assures them that it is okay to stop, take some time and reposition. Overall, Michele and the other technologists at Virginia Women's Center hope to provide a positive, compassionate experience while at all times minimizing the discomfort and anxiety that many women feel during their mammograms. 

Myth: The appointment for a mammogram will take too long.

Other women neglect to schedule their annual mammograms because they are simply too busy and worry that the procedure will take too much time. While in any medical practice there can be unforeseen delays, Virginia Women's Center attempts to make mammogram appointments as convenient as possible for our patients. The whole exam only lasts about seven minutes and with three of our offices offering screening mammography, many of our patients are able to have their annual gynecologic exam and mammogram at the same appointment.

Myth: I'm embarrassed by my body and fear what the technologists will think.

Many women are uncomfortable with their bodies and view mammograms as embarrassing because they are required to disrobe. It is important to remember that the mammography technologists are professionals. They have chosen their profession because they are interested in caring for women and their health. Their goal with each patient is to get the best possible images for the radiologist to review while caring for each woman in a kind and compassionate way.

Myth: "No news is good news" and the fear of results.

Finally and one of the most obvious reasons why women may neglect to schedule their mammograms is the fear of the results. Many women choose to believe that "no news is good news." For some, it might be fear about the cost or time required for additional procedures. For others, it is the emotional distress that a positive result could have on the individual, her family and her current and future relationships. While these reasons are all understandable, it is important to recognize the difference that early detection of breast cancer can have on a woman's life. Mary, like many other women who adhere to annual mammograms, remarked that "breast cancer could be there for years. I would rather catch it in the early stages as opposed to later when it has progressed." Screening mammograms are an important form of preventative medicine and can help detect breast cancer when it is most treatable. 

At Virginia Women's Center, we offer screening mammography at the following offices:

Henrico Doctors' Forest Medical Plaza, John Rolfe Commons and Memorial Regional Medical Center.