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Protect Yourself from Breast Cancer

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October 1, 2017

Don’t Skip Out on Mammograms

When did you have your last mammogram? If you can’t remember, October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is the perfect time to make an appointment! 

The American Cancer Society recommends that all women age 40 and over should get a mammogram yearly, and those with a strong family history of breast cancer should start earlier, under a doctor’s recommendation. Men, too, are not immune to breast cancer. If you are a male and feel a lump in your chest, please see a doctor right away. 

While monthly self-examinations are part of a good personal health regimen, it is important to keep in mind that you cannot feel a breast lump through a self-exam until it is the size of a pea or larger. Our mammograms screen breasts in order to catch the cancer at its earliest stages even lumps as tiny as a grain of salt. The good news is that breast cancer caught early has a very high survival rate.

Tips for Mammogram Success

If you’re coming in for your first mammogram, here are some helpful tips to make your experience more pleasant:  

  • If you still have a menstrual cycle, schedule your mammogram 6 to 10 days after the first day of your period. Your breasts are less tender at this time.

  • Cut back on caffeine 2 days before your test. Sometimes this will decrease tenderness.

  • If your breasts are extremely tender, you can take Tylenol, if permitted by your doctor, one hour before your exam to help make it more comfortable.

Tips for Mammogram Success | Trinity Twin City Hospital 

  • Do not use deodorant the day of your test. This can cause small artifacts on the screen, which can be mistaken for small calcifications. Bring your deodorant with you, and put it on afterward.

Our highly qualified radiology staff uses a state-of-the-art digital mammography unit that completes the procedure in just 15 minutes, on average. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way, assured that you’ve received the best care possible

Don’t Put if Off

If you have a doctor's order, we can usually get you scheduled for your test within a week at Trinity Hospital Twin City.

We are grateful to have caught a number of breast cancers in their beginning stages. Early detection saves lives, so please don't delay your mammogram further. To make an appointment, secure an order from your doctor or medical provider and call 740-922-7405. We look forward to serving you.

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