How Can We Get Young Women to Get Annual Mammograms?
My youngest daughter called last week. We talked about random topics for about 30 minutes before getting to the topic of health. I mentioned a number of medical appointments I'd scheduled for the new year, and she said she'd done the same.
I questioned her about the medical tests she required. I knew she'd been having digestive issues, but I was surprised when she mentioned an upcoming mammogram appointment. She was the youngest of my four children, at the age of 34. My hackles immediately rose.
"What exactly is going on?" I inquired. One of her breasts was very tender and itchy, she said. She initially ignored the symptoms, believing that the material of her sweater was irritating her breast, but as the symptoms persisted for several months, she became concerned.
I was also concerned, especially given my own breast cancer history, but all I said was, "I'm proud of you for being proactive." "I believe you made the correct decision."
Of my four children, three are girls. They are all under the age of 40. I've been urging each of them to check their breasts on a regular basis since my breast cancer surgery in 2014. I even gave them written instructions on how to perform breast self-exams, but I'm not sure if any of them followed my advice.
Women between the ages of 40 and 44, according to the American Cancer Society, should have a screening mammogram. A screening mammogram is a test that is done before any symptoms are noticed. Women aged 45 to 54 should have a mammogram every year, and women aged 55 and up can have these tests done every two years if they are healthy. Early detection of breast cancer can result in a higher rate of survival and, in many cases, less aggressive treatment.
Dense breasts are more common in younger women. Dense breasts are those that are made up of supportive tissue, milk glands, and milk ducts. According to the Mayo Clinic's website, breast cancers are difficult to palpate in dense breasts.
Dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram, while non-dense breast tissue appears dark. This can make cancers, which also appear white, difficult to read, but other tests, such as MRIs and ultrasounds, are available. Women's breast tissue tends to become less dense as they age, but this is not always the case.
Some young women chose not to have mammograms due to misconceptions about the test. They believe that a mammogram is unnecessary unless there is a family history of breast cancer or that a mammogram will expose them to unnecessary radiation. Some have heard from friends or relatives about negative experiences related to the procedure's pain. These factors can make scheduling a test difficult.
So, how can we encourage the next generation to care for their breasts? Mammograms aren't usually recommended for women under the age of 40, but that doesn't mean a woman can't schedule one if she feels it's necessary.
"While breast cancer in younger women is rare, it is the most common cancer among women ages 15 to 39," according to Yale Medicine. And certain types of breast cancer are becoming more common in young women."
"While breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in postmenopausal women, this is a condition that can and does occur in young women," said Dr. Liva Andrejeva-Wright, a Yale Medicine radiologist. I've diagnosed breast cancer in women in their twenties."
That's a terrifying thought, and it's one of the reasons I advocate for early screenings. There is no way to predict who will or will not develop breast cancer, but women with a family history have a higher risk.
I've tried to be open and honest about breast cancer with my daughters. I've given them the opportunity to ask questions, and they have. "Won't it hurt, Mom?" they inquired. I told them it would because it does hurt, but I also reminded them that the pain is only temporary and that if it helps them find a problem, why wouldn't they choose to endure it?
When I was undergoing surgery and treatment, I not only told them about each step of my journey, but I also allowed them to see my wounds. I knew it would be difficult to subject them to the traumatic event of losing both breasts, but I wanted them to take cancer seriously. I've done everything I can to encourage them to be proactive, but only my youngest has chosen to be tested.
I want to keep my daughters safe. That is a mother's responsibility. I couldn't stand it if one of them came to me one day and said, "Mom, I've got breast cancer." I'd crumble to pieces! So they can accuse me of nagging as I continue to urge them to get a screening mammogram. I'd rather nag them into it than sit back and watch something bad happen.
Hopefully, medical standards for initial screenings will be lowered in the future. I would like to see the screening mammogram age reduced to 25. I'd also like to see technological advances that make them less painful and more affordable for everyone. And, while new 3D mammograms are available in some areas, they are not available to everyone. They are not covered by many insurance companies.
We must do our part to protect our young women. Preventing disease should begin at home. Mothers should teach their daughters how to care for their breasts as soon as they begin to develop. By the time they're teens, they should be eating healthy, wearing well-fitting brassieres, and performing self-exams.