Caitlin Whyte: So I'm 30 years old and I haven't had a mammogram yet, but while I like to think of myself as pretty good at managing my healthcare and doing things I don't like to do, the idea of getting a mammogram does make me nervous. So today we're going to talk about what to expect when you get a mammogram and here's some real life info and tips from women who do thousands each year. With over 50 years of experience, giving mammograms to women combined, we are happy to have Dottie Hunter, Section Leader of Mammography and Janet Oyer, a Mammogram Technician from Emerson's Breast Health Centers join us today for this important conversation. This is Health Works Here. I'm your host, Caitlin Whyte. All right, ladies. So tell me why mammograms are so important?

Dottie Hunter: Well, routine mammography can detect early cancers early on when they're smaller, easier to treat and certainly save lives sooner. So they're very important to do routinely.

Host: And when should I get one?

Dottie Hunter: The American College of Radiology suggest a baseline mammogram for women by age 40. So we follow that guideline and we do suggest a mammogram every year after that.

Host: So like I said, I'm 30. I still have a little time. And right now it's all a little intimidating to me. I mean, for someone like me who hasn't had one yet, what is the machine like? Does it make a lot of noise? Is it big?

Janet Oyer: Well, the machine itself is it's freestanding. It's fairly large, but what it does, it does have some soft noises too, or soft sounds to it as it moves through the exam process. And pretty much the technologist explains the machine to the patient too.

Host: Now, who does the mammogram and how do they become qualified to do that stuff?

Dottie Hunter: Well, our mammography technologists are registered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. So that's an organization that we generally belong to. And the FDA and the Department of Public Health also have guidelines that technologists have to meet before they allowed to do this specialty. It is a specialty and they become a radiologic technologists and certify in that before they can become qualified to do a specialty such as mammography.

Host: So the whole process, by the time I get there, how long will it take?

Dottie Hunter: Well, our appointments are scheduled, 15 to 30 minutes. Now it depends on what kind of test the patient's having, a screening mammogram is shorter than a diagnostic, but when you're actually imaging the patient, it's much shorter. Each individual image could take anywhere from eight to 12 seconds. So a patient is not under compression that long, but compression is part of the exam, but it will depend. It will depend on what the patient need is for how many pictures and what we're doing for them that day.

Host: Now here's the big question. Does it hurt?

Janet Oyer: Every patient has a different threshold of discomfort. And so while under compression, so the discomfort actually subsides quickly as the compression paddle is released from the breast.

Host: Now, what if it does hurt? Does that mean something's wrong?

Janet Oyer: The patient needs to communicate to the technologist if it's really giving the patient a lot of discomfort so that the technologist can adjust either the compression or the position. So it's a level of communication between the patient and the technologist.

Host: So whether it's my first or my fifth, is there anything I can do to prepare myself before getting a mammogram?

Janet Oyer: Some patients like to take either a Tylenol or an Advil about one hour before their exam, but certainly check with their doctor before taking any medication.

Host: Now, what are your best tips for easing the anxiety of getting a mammo?

Janet Oyer: The patient should talk to the technologist in terms of any concerns that they might have. So they work as a team. So that's a good level of communication. If the patient can talk to the technologist, then they work as a team and the outcome is more of a positive patient experience.

Host: So I don't do BSEs and I'm nervous about getting a mammo. What should I do then?

Dottie Hunter: You shouldn't be nervous at all. Don't hesitate to have your mammogram it's part of your breast health care. Your referring physician can perform a breast exam, you know, during your yearly checkup, breast self exam is recommended to do seven to 10 days after the start day of the period, that's can be very difficult for some women to keep up with, and some people aren't having periods anymore. So we suggest a same time, same date every month. So rather like the first or the 15th so that, you know, there's some kind of routine.

Host: So once the procedure's over, when do I get my results and what if I want them sooner than that?

Dottie Hunter: Well, patients standardly received the results seven to 10 business days. If you're nervous or you're live, you know, far away or there's health concerns, just physical difficulties, just kind of getting in and out of the clinic, you can have your mammogram around the same day. It's just a matter of communicating that when you come into the clinic and letting the technologist know those concerns, and we have the radiologist read it while you're here. Patients having their screening mammogram scan read the same day. And in a matter of time, if the radiologist is busy with diagnostic patients, they may have to wait, you know, possibly up to an hour, a little longer, but we will try to read it as soon as possible. So they have the information before they leave.

Host: So of course, waiting for that call. We always hope it's a good bill of health, but what happens when that call comes and the results aren't so good?

Dottie Hunter: Well, screening mammograms do occasionally come back normal. That's not unusual. If we get a phone call from a breast imaging center, if you get it from us, don't be afraid. That's not a normal at all. We are investigating a specific area of question and we need more information, which means different types of pictures in different positions. That will be determined by the radiologist. And they'll read that mammogram when you come back same day. So you'll have an opportunity to ask more questions, even speak to the physicians. If you would like sometimes it can be due to an artifact, simple as deodorant, jewelry, or even some of your hair that got into the image. So we're always really careful to check that and while the technologist is imaging, but it can still happen. So occasionally it's a technical difficulty, not even a problem within the breast.

Host: So what is your approach like with women when they come in for a mammogram?

Janet Oyer: When a patient comes in for a mammogram, typically it's common for them to be a little bit anxious and nervous. So we try to relieve some of that anxiety to make sure the patient feels that this is a safe place to share your concerns and to let the technologists know any concerns that they might have. So we could relay that to the radiologist. So we're very compassionate and empathetic caregivers. We try to be warm and as friendly as possible. And we try to work with a patient in terms of any issues that they might have in terms of, of breast, breast shapes and sizes. And sometimes patients have had prior surgeries like a pacemaker insertion or our breast reconstruction or implants. So we try to work with a patient and explain to the patient exactly what we're doing. So they're more knowledgeable and they become more of a team. And so it just makes for a better positive experience if the patient feels comfortable to have that communication. And our staff were trained to know how to work any challenges.

Host: And of course, when it comes to healthcare, I have to ask about cost, how much do mammograms cost?

Dottie Hunter: There's a couple of different types of mammograms. We do. We do an annual screening, which is covered generally by insurance for asymptomatic women. The diagnostic mammogram is generally a follow-up done to something found on a mammogram or a patient that might have a lump, a bleed discharge, vocal pain, skin, thickening. Those are things that they find themselves or their physician finds that send them in. And that requires more workup that requires a physician appointment, basically with our radiologists that will read this study at the time and do any additional imaging, possibly even a breast ultrasound if needed. So those are things that are concerning for patients. You know, what is that cost? We do suggest that the patient having a diagnostic mammogram check their insurance coverage for any, you know, unexpected out of pocket expenses that might happen, that they weren't aware of. So we want them to do that prior to coming in. The screening, mammograms are generally covered by all insurance.

Host: This has been super informative conversation. I know I've learned a lot as a woman myself, but what if listeners have even more questions?

Dottie Hunter: Well, we're here to answer questions before, during, after your appointment, you can always call the breast health center and we're happy to direct the questions to the appropriate person. We have a patient clinical navigator that's specifically set up to help navigate through our outside physicians all the way to our breast surgeons and oncology. So we're here to answer your questions. The Hormel breast health center can be reached at (978) 287-8100. So if there are any questions or concerns, there's healthcare professionals here that are, well-rounded informative and happy to answer any questions. And we're doing that every day. It's part of our normal practice.

Host: Well, thank you so much for your time, ladies. It's always good to have this information ahead of any procedure that was Dottie Hunter, section leader of mammography and Janet Oyer, a mammogram technician at Emerson's breast health centers for more information, or to make an appointment for a mammogram, go to Emersonhospital.org and search mammogram. Thank you for listening to the Health Works Here Podcast. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast source, including Apple podcasts, Google Play Music, and Spotify. I'm your host, Caitlin Whyte. We'll catch you next time.