A 40-Year-Old’s Journey Through Her First Mammogram

2024 has been a big year for me. I turned 40 in April. It’s an age I have dreaded for the past ten years. Not for any particular reason, but I suspect it has something to do with wanting to hold onto my youth in any way possible. Seriously, I almost got bangs. (Thank you to my friends who assured me it would be a mistake.)

One thing that wasn’t on my radar was getting a mammogram. In fact, when my primary care physician mentioned writing me a prescription for one at my yearly appointment last fall, I was surprised.

I thought to myself, “But I’m too young for a mammogram!” My doctor assured me that I was not too young and, in fact, at the perfect age to get my first mammogram. According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), women with an average breast cancer risk should begin receiving mammograms at age 40.

I called to schedule my mammogram for late April and didn’t think about it again until I received the alert that it was coming up. The alert also reminded me not to wear deodorant, perfume, lotions, or oils on the day of my exam because they could interfere with the screening machine.

Was I nervous? A little. Mostly because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had asked some of my friends, who all turned 40 this year, and it turned out that I was the first one taking the plunge. I also asked my mom, and her reply was, “Well, it’s uncomfortable, but it doesn’t hurt. You’ll be fine.” The tone of her voice felt like it was a “rite of passage,” like a prom, graduation, or wedding.

When I arrived at the office, I received a clipboard of papers to fill out, as well as a wristband. Then, I waited for about 15 minutes before I was taken back. The tech led me into a room where I could change out of my shirt and bra and into a gown that opened in the front.

The tech then took me to an exam room and positioned my breasts in between two plastic imaging plates. She talked me through repositioning each breast to take multiple images and angles. For me, it felt like my breasts were being pinched. It was uncomfortable, but it was necessary for her to flatten them as much as possible to ensure she was able to get a clear picture of the entire breast. I took deep breaths throughout the entire process. She told me that my breasts were dense, which meant that my breasts had relatively more milk glands, milk ducts, and supportive tissue than fat, which can sometimes make detecting a cancer more difficult. Therefore, she had to take a few more X-rays than planned. However, the entire process took ten minutes in total.

My results were available in my online chart the next day, and a message from my PCP said that my mammogram was normal and that I should get my next one in a year.

Yearly Mammograms Are Important in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S. It’s also the second-leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S. For non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic women, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Concerningly, breast cancer has been increasing among younger Asian American and Pacific Islander women.

While mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, they can save lives because they can find breast cancer early. And the earlier it’s found, the better chance there is at beating it. In fact, finding breast cancer early reduces the risk of dying from the disease by 25 to 30 percent or more.

That’s why getting a mammogram once a year is so important to the fight against breast cancer. For me, I’ve decided that I will call to make my mammogram appointment every year on the week of my birthday. It’s a great way to remember to do it, but it’s also a gift of health I can give to myself.

When to Get a Mammogram Before You’re 40

While breast cancer screenings are recommended for women beginning at 40, about four percent of all breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. occur in women under 40.

So, if you are in your 20s or 30s, it’s important to perform breast self-exams once a month about one to two weeks after your menstrual cycle to become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel so that it will be easier to identify any changes or abnormalities, like lumps or skin discoloration. If you notice any changes, contact your gynecologist right away. They may schedule you for a mammogram. It’s also very important to visit your gynecologist for preventive care once a year, as they perform breast exams during your appointments, too.

Regardless of your age, breast self-exams and regular gynecologist visits are tools that help detect breast cancer early.

Tips for Your First Mammogram

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind before your first mammogram:

Make the appointment before you turn 40 so you’re ready to go after your birthday.
Keep your menstrual cycle in mind when scheduling. The exam can be more uncomfortable right before or during your period, when breasts tend to be more sensitive.
Don’t wear deodorant, lotion, perfume, or oils, as it will negatively affect the machine’s ability to take quality pictures.
Wear comfortable clothing, especially shoes. You’ll be standing during the exam.
Breathe and relax. Yes, it can be uncomfortable, but tensing up could make it more uncomfortable. So, take deep breaths during the process, and it will be over before you know it.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The technicians will guide you through the entire process and will try to make the whole experience as comfortable as possible.