Check Ya Girls!

Every woman over 40 has a particular doctor's appointment that fills them with dread and trepidation - - the dreaded mammogram.  Or, as I like to call it, the annual boob smashing!

Now, I started having mammograms in my mid-30s because my grandmother had breast cancer so all of my female family members had to start having baseline mammograms at that age.  So one would think that I'd be used to it after 10 years.  But guess what?  Not so much...

So anyway, I hustle on over to the Advocate Center for Breast Care, an affiliate of Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn: 

When I arrived, I was greeted as usual and informed that I was slated to have my mammogram done with the new 3D machine.  The rep explained that the 3D machine took photos more like a CT scan and would give the doctor a more complete reading.  I was very impressed!  When I got to the exam room, I asked the technician if it would be ok for me to take some pictures of the new machine to use in a blog post.  She agreed, so I snagged a few photos before my exam:

Now those of you who know, the exam itself is a bit uncomfortable, but not painful. Unfortunately, that part hasn't changed.  But, with the new 3D machine, I noticed that we didn't have to redo any scans because it moved back and forth twice to get a full picture. After the exam, the technician gave me a handout about the machine, which uses Genius 3D mammography and is manufactured by Hologic.  According to the handout, the 3D mammogram "detects 41% more invasive breast cancers and reduces false positives by up to 40%."  It is also "the first and only clinically superior 3D mammography approved by the FDA."  Very cutting edge technology and I'm glad that Advocate CMC is using it.  More info here.  

Why am I telling you all of this?  Because it is a very important screening that many women don't have done for various reasons.  Although I am vigilant because there is a history of breast cancer in my immediate family, 8 out of 9 diagnosed women have no family history of breast cancer.  It is proven that early detection saves lives. Early detection is the key.  So go check ya girls!  No excuses!

So have YOU checked ya girls yet this year?  Questions or comments?  Holla @ Darvi!  Be Blessed!!!