Jenny Kushnereit, BS, RT(R)(M)(BS)
Nothing is certain in medicine, but mammography comes close.
Regular mammograms have been proven to find breast cancer at its earliest stages when treatments are most effective. Many women, however, let their anxieties around mammograms keep them from taking advantage of these powerful, potentially lifesaving tests.
If you’re one of these women, you don’t have to be. Let’s break down some of the common worries women have about mammograms.
“I’m afraid insurance won’t cover it”
Medicare coverage pays for a screening mammogram every 12 months, and there also may be low-cost or no-cost screening programs available to you. Many health plans cover mammograms, so check with your insurer.
And, because of the Affordable Care Act, women enrolled in health plans created after March 23, 2010, pay nothing for screening mammograms.
“The test is too painful”
Most women don’t consider mammograms painful.
During a mammogram, your breast is compressed with a plastic paddle, which helps hold the breast still, evens out the breast tissue and allows lower doses of X-rays to be used. American Cancer Society recommends that you schedule the procedure one week after your period – when your breasts are the least tender.
The discomfort passes quickly, with the X-ray taking less than 30 seconds (and not only is the screening itself finished quickly, but women leave their appointment with same-day results).
“I can’t afford the co-payment/deductible”
Some state and local health programs and employers provide mammograms for free or at low cost.
Beaufort Memorial, for example, partners with MDsave, which allows them to offer up to 60% off the cost of many common imaging procedures – like mammograms. In fact, they offer special pricing for Breast Cancer Awareness month, with screening mammograms purchased between until Oct. 31 priced at only $99 (and you can buy now and schedule later). Visit BeaufortMemorial.org/SaveOnMammos for an up-to-date list of mammogram pricing and to take advantage of this offer.
There are other resources available to help patients with the cost of mammograms. Staff at Beaufort Memorial’s Breast Health Centers are able offer information about the help that is out there.
“I just don’t have the time”
From start to finish, a basic screening mammogram appointment lasts about 15 to 30 minutes.
Appointments for more in-depth diagnostic mammograms for those with symptoms or dense breasts run 30 to 45 minutes to capture images from more angles.
Think about what other activities take just 30 minutes. Watching the news? Doing a load of laundry? Can either of those save your life? Studies show that mammograms help reduce the number of breast cancer deaths in women ages 40 to 69, especially those older than 50.
Mammograms aren’t as painful, stressful or cost-prohibitive as some women believe, and because they detect lumps earlier, they can reduce a patient’s risk of dying from breast cancer by 25 to 30%.
Don’t be afraid to have one done.
Jenny Kushnereit, BS, RT(R)(M)(BS), is the manager of the nationally recognized Beaufort Memorial Breast Health Centers, located in Beaufort, Okatie and Hilton Head Island. Call 843-522-5015 to schedule an appointment for a screening mammogram, no physician referral, prescription or order needed.
