Ever since I turned 40, I’ve gotten my annual mammogram. This is due to several reasons: 

1. breast cancer runs in the family on my mom’s side

2. it’s been recommended to start getting annual mammograms starting at 40

3. and one of my dearest friends passed away from cancer

Each year, the results have been negative, typically with a comment that I have dense breast tissue and can get an ultrasound if I wanted. That was never recommended and was only for my peace of mind. 

In 2021, same routine, everything looks fine. All good. A few weeks after my mammogram, I started experiencing pain in my left breast. It happened anytime I put any pressure on it. I finally did a self exam, and felt a bump. I immediately scheduled an appointment with my doctor and he found the bump and said it was most likely a fibro-something-something and not cancerous. (Side note here: why do doctors spout out medical terms thinking we know what they’re talking about?) He said he can refer me for an ultrasound if I wanted to confirm everything was fine. I agreed, and was able to get an ultrasound the following week. 

I want to say how much better an experience can be when you have caring staff. Anything health related is scary, and the people who helped me were amazing. The woman who performed my ultrasound was great. She and I were having a conversation, which can be awkward when you’re laying there with your boob out while she puts gel on it and moves a tool around. Well, the conversation stopped and things got silent. This is when I started to worry. I’m thinking, if everything was fine, she would’ve said that, right? What is she seeing that’s causing concern? She finished the ultrasound and smiled and said the doctor will be in to talk to me about the results. The doctor comes in and tells me that the ultrasound is inconclusive and they’d like to perform a biopsy. At this point, I’m thinking yes, whatever needs to be done to find out what’s going on. I didn’t stop to think what exactly a biopsy is. Fortunately, they had availability the next day. The associate who came to speak with me about prep asked me a bunch of questions, one of them being if I’ve taken aspirin or ibuprofen recently. I said I took ibuprofen a few days ago for my knee pain. Turns out, that’s a blood thinner and there was concern that I might bleed excessively. She consulted the doctor and the decision was up to me if I wanted to do it the next day or wait a week and not take any pain medication. I decided I wanted to do it sooner than later, knowing the risk that I might bleed more. 

The next morning comes, and the staff is wonderful again. They go over the whole procedure, and what to expect. Because of where the lump was located, I had to lay somewhat awkwardly. On my side, but not completely. So the biopsy begins. There was the operating doctor, the supervising doctor, and the nurse. The doctor starts with the anesthesia, and then sticks the contraption that removes a piece of tissue. There’s a screen that shows my breast and where to pull the tissue. It was at this moment that it all clicked in my head that the screen I’m looking at is my boob and, wow, that’s a big needle in there. I start getting lightheaded (I ate breakfast like they recommended, and I brought gatorade with me just in case). The supervising doctor notices I’m getting pale and asks how I’m doing. So I tell her I’m feeling lightheaded and that my body was feeling numb. They all ask if I want anything to drink and I tell them I have gatorade. The nurse runs to my locker to grab it for me and they all take care of me to make sure I don’t pass out. 

While I’m recovering, the doctor is applying pressure to my boob and I hear him saying that I’m still bleeding. I know he was trying to say it quietly, but I still heard it, which of course made my recovery take longer. Finally, the biopsy was complete and they gave me time to feel normal again. What I didn’t know needed to happen was that I needed another mammogram right after. So I’m still feeling a little weak and now I have to go to another room and have my boob smashed. Another wonderful staff member helps keep me upright in case I lose my balance. Mammogram is done and I’m feeling ok enough to drive home. The results came back a few days later (a day before my birthday) and it was confirmed that it’s not cancerous, and it’s a fibroadenoma. Remember what my doctor said and I had no idea what he said? Well, the doctors here took the time to spell it out for me and explain what it was. 

Two years later, in 2023, my mammogram on my right breast was inconclusive and I needed to get another ultrasound. This time around, the ultrasound showed no issues and I didn’t need a biopsy.

Earlier this year, I was again feeling discomfort in my left breast and I got another ultrasound. Thankfully, everything looked fine. However, the doctor recommended that when I get my annual mammogram, that I get an MRI as well. This is due to my dense breast tissue. I understand that this year, patients now need to be told about their breast density. I’m surprised this wasn’t the norm across the country since I’ve been told this every time. My hope is that with this requirement, there are advances in the technology that can detect cancer more easily regardless of the density.

I’m all good now, but I would recommend getting your annual mammogram and if anything seems off, get the additional tests. I’m not sharing my experience to scare anyone, but to give you an idea of what could happen. Even though it was scary, it was worth it, and I would do it again if I needed to.