Gram Your Mams

I certainly don’t intend to turn this into a blog where I constantly bemoan my physical condition, but I had quite a scare last week and it resulted in a new insight I’d like to share.

I once heard a comedian compare a mammogram to slamming a car door on your breast. It’s quite an accurate approximation. Because I absolutely hate mammograms, I haven’t kept up with them the way I should. Two years ago they found a dark spot in my right breast. That was pretty scary. However, the following ultra-sound showed that it was only fibrous tissue. That was a relief! Although the doctor recommended another mammogram in six months, I put it off until this year.

The Mammogram

Last week the mammogram showed a cluster of dark spots in my left breast. The right one was fine. Who’d have thunk it?

Since the spots were a cluster of cysts, the doctor recommended I have a needle biopsy to be on the safe side. That was really scary! I had visions of a huge scar, chemotherapy, a bald head, and excruciating pain. Thankfully, those visions were 100% wrong.

Because of modern technology, the needle biopsy is an out-patient procedure. Although it’s still a surgery, it’s performed in the same room as the ultra sound. In fact, the ultra sound is used to help the surgeon guide the needle to the proper place, but I’m getting ahead of myself here.

The Needle Biopsy

The needle biopsy is a very easy surgery. As invasive as it is, I didn’t feel invaded for a minute! Here’s the procedure:

1. You don’t need to completely disrobe. You take your shirt off and are given an hospital gown to cover your top except for the affected area.
2. The surgeon gives you an injection to numb your breast. It takes only a very few moments to work.
3. This is sort of funny. In Minnesota, the surgeon has to initial near the surgical area as evidence that they worked in the correct place. They use magic marker. I have still have the initials, although they are fading little by little.
4. The surgeon makes a very small incision in the breast. I believe mine is about a quarter inch long, if that.
5. The ultra sound technician is the only other person in the room. She uses the ultra sound to pinpoint the exact spot that needs to be biopsied. During the surgery, I chatted with her and watched the screen.
6. The surgeon inserts the needle and the biopsy “tool”. That’s what she called it. I didn’t see it at all. She uses the tool to extract two tissue samples.
7. The surgeon inserts a very small titanium chip into the breast. This is so that in future mammograms, medical personnel can easily see that this area was previously biopsied and check for any changes in the area.
8. The biopsy is over! The surgeon removes the needle, applies pressure on the incision to stop any bleeding, and puts a bandage on it. No stitches!
9. After the biopsy, you’ll have another mammogram on the biopsied breast to take a picture of the titanium chip for future reference.
10. You get a small icepack to put on your breast to reduce swelling and help control any pain. Although I have a nice bruise, I had absolutely no pain that an ibuprofen couldn’t handle.
11. You’re done! You can get dressed and go home!

Mammogram Insight

Fortunately the biopsy showed the cysts are benign. However, things could have turned out very differently and I would have been a fool for waiting two years between mammograms. The normal recommendation is one year. In my case, I should have followed up after six months. Not having a mammogram would not have stopped me from having cancer. If the cysts had been malignant, I would have given them plenty of time to grow and metastasize.

Please! If you need a mammogram, get one. If you have no insurance there are programs, such as Minnesota’s SAGE program that can help with payment. Check the American Cancer Society to find programs and treatment options in your area.