There is no reason to postpone an annual mammogram — it might save your life or the life of someone you love.

To ease anxiety and provide convincing evidence on the importance of annual mammograms, Dr. Malaika Thompson, a breast radiologist at UCHealth Gloria Gossard Breast Care Center in Steamboat Springs, answered common questions and misconceptions about the procedure.

I’m too busy to get an annual mammogram!

Scheduling is easy, with flexible appointments available Monday-Friday that usually take about 30 minutes. If you’re an existing UCHealth patient, you can schedule your appointment through My Health Connection, UCHealth’s patient portal.

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“Taking care of yourself is the most important thing to do so you can be healthy enough to do all the things in your life that are keeping you busy,” said Thompson.

I just had a mammogram last year with a normal result. Why do I need another one?

Breast cancer can develop at any time, and providers want to find it as soon as possible when treatment is the easiest. Also, annual mammograms are important so providers can compare any changes from one year to the next.

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“The longer you wait between mammograms, the more time a cancer can grow and potentially spread,” said Thompson. “Early detection is our goal in order to simplify treatment and make it as easy as possible with the best outcome for the patient.”

I am a healthy person. Do I still need a mammogram?

While eating well, exercising and living a healthy lifestyle are beneficial to reducing the risk of cancer, they do not guarantee cancer prevention.

“Breast cancer is incredibly common,” said Thompson, “and most people who develop it feel healthy and completely normal when the tumor is small. That is why we have mammograms — to find it as early as possible.”

At 40, aren’t I too young to worry about breast cancer?

When breast cancer occurs in young women, it tends to be more aggressive and faster growing. In general, 40 is the age recommended by medical experts for a baseline mammogram. If you have a family history of breast cancer, speak to your provider about whether to get one earlier.

“We don’t want to miss cancers in younger people,” said Thompson. “Studies have repeatedly shown that starting mammograms at age 40 finds the most breast cancers and saves the most lives.”

I don’t have any family history of breast cancer.

Seventy-five percent of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of it.

I do monthly self-breast exams. Isn’t that sufficient?

Monthly self-exams are encouraged, but they are not a substitute for today’s mammogram technology.

“It’s wonderful to be aware of your body and pay attention to changes in your breast. Don’t panic right away if you feel a lump or bump, but notify your physician,” said Thompson. “The real answer comes from imaging.”

I’m nervous about the procedure.

“When you’re nervous about something, it’s usually because it’s important,” she said. “We try to make the whole situation as pleasant as it can be.”

The staff at UCHealth Gloria Gossard Breast Care Center are a friendly, professional care team. The gentle technicians strive to put patients at ease and talk through each step of the mammogram process to ensure patients are well informed.

The compression is painful.

It’s true that compression during a mammogram can be uncomfortable, but new technology and highly trained technicians help to make every mammogram a good experience for patients.

“Communicate to the tech if you were uncomfortable last time,” said Thompson. “Trust they are doing all they can to make it comfortable for you while getting the best images so that we can get a clear view of your breast tissue.”

I once had a false positive mammogram result, and now I’m anxious about a similar result.

Mammogram results typically take less than 48 hours and the vast majority — roughly 90% — are negative, meaning everything is fine.

“Getting called back for a second mammogram is an added ask of your time, but should not be fear inducing, as 80% of the recall visits are normal,” said Thompson. “Sometimes we need to keep our eye on something, so we’ll have you come back about six months later. Only about 1% of patients will need a biopsy. We provide the results of the follow-up during your visit and answer all of your questions.”

Do I need my primary care physician to order a mammogram?

No.

“While we do ask who your primary care physician is, in the state of Colorado, you can schedule your own mammogram, as long as you don’t have any symptoms you are concerned about,” said Thompson.

Should I be concerned with radiation exposure?

No. The amount of radiation needed to obtain a mammogram is extraordinarily low as compared with other types of imaging, such as a CT scan.

“The dose is so low that when necessary, we can even perform a mammogram during pregnancy without any risk to the developing fetus,” she said.

Mammograms are too expensive.

Annual mammograms must be covered by your insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, many communities have agencies that help cover the cost of a mammogram.

“UCHealth has additional financial assistance programs available, and our financial counselors work hard to connect patients,” said Thompson. “Our community is fortunate to have organizations like Northwest Colorado Health and the Bust of Steamboat that support women to get the health care they need.”

Mary Gay Broderick writes for UCHealth. She can be reached at marygaybroderick@comcast.net.