Angel's Mammogram Experience Will 'SQUASH' Your Anxieties

Angel here and if you've been around me long enough or you listen to the show you know I am pretty lighthearted and silly in most situations. The risk of breast cancer is no joke but I want to try and ease the anxiety of other women needing to schedule one for themselves.

I was 18 years old when I got my first mammogram. I will never forget it. I found several small lumps under my arm on the left side and Dr. Danhauer felt like it would be a great idea for me to get checked out. Thankfully, it was cystic and we had no worries.

Fast forward a month ago. I do monthly checks. I have a family history of breast cancer and in the back of my mind I don't necessarily worry but I think what if I don't check and something happens and it's too late. I am not just taking care of me for myself but for my family.

So I found what I thought might be a small lump in my left breast. I told my husband who said, "call the doctor NOW". I didn't. I waited for a few weeks. Then I told Chad who echoed exactly what Joe said. Finally, with some other concerns I had, I thought maybe it's time I call.

My awesome doctor Judy Carrico, got me right in and found the exact same knot I did. She said let's schedule a mammogram. This past Tuesday was go time and I could not have had better experience.

The staff at the Healthpark did a wonderful job explaining what I would need to expect and also shared with me that I would get results before I ever left.

As I am sure you were wondering they did not find anything to be alarmed about and told me to continue doing self-checks.

They explained to me it is so important that we do those from home and get our yearly checkups.

Things can change in an instant and if you are paying attention you can catch something faster.

I turned 40 in February so it was the perfect time to get checked.

Truth moment: I will admit I wasn't scared of the mammogram but leaving my family if something did happen. Thankfully, here I am and everything is perfect.

This is why I want to help get you all ready and unafraid of the very same thing. HUGS

Here's how to prepare for your mammogram according to the American Cancer Society;

If you have a choice, use a facility that specializes in mammograms and does many mammograms a day.
Try to go to the same facility every time so that your mammograms can easily be compared from year to year.
If you’re going to a facility for the first time, bring a list of the places and dates of mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you’ve had before.
If you’ve had mammograms at another facility, try to get those records to bring with you to the new facility (or have them sent there) so the old pictures can be compared to the new ones.
Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are not tender or swollen to help reduce discomfort and get good pictures. Try to avoid the week just before your period.
On the day of the exam, don’t wear deodorant or antiperspirant. Some of these contain substances that can show up on the x-ray as white spots. If you’re not going home afterward, you might want to take your deodorant with you to put on after your exam.
You might find it easier to wear a skirt or pants so that you’ll only need to remove your top and bra for the mammogram.
Discuss any recent changes or problems in your breasts with your health care provider before getting the mammogram.

Don’t be afraid of mammograms! Remember that only 2 to 4 screening mammograms in 1,000 lead to a diagnosis of breast cancer.