Breasts

We all have breasts! Some Small, some Large, some man- boobs, some surgically altered. I had a Mammogram this week. They do it digital now so it goes pretty quick. Now that I am 40ish, I get one every year whether I like it or NOT! It's not fun, but necessary.


Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle (often made of clear Plexiglas or other plastic). The technologist will gradually compress your breast.

Breast compression is necessary in order to:
1.Even out the breast thickness so that all of the tissue can be visualized. (Its amazing how flat the breast can get! Like a thick tissue pancake!)
2.Spread out the tissue so that small abnormalities won't be obscured by overlying breast tissue.
3.Allow the use of a lower x-ray dose since a thinner amount of breast tissue is being imaged. (How thin do they think they're going to get it??)
4.Hold the breast still in order to eliminate blurring of the image caused by motion. (Yah Right! Try to hold still while your boob is being squished!)
5.Reduce x-ray scatter to increase sharpness of picture. (Scatter??? Do they squeeze it hard enough it might explode???)
The process will be repeated for the other breast. (They better make this quick!)
The patient must hold very still and may be asked to keep from breathing for a few seconds while the x-ray picture is taken to reduce the possibility of a blurred image. (You can prepare for this test by taking your shirt and bra off , Now lay down on your cold garage floor. Have your spouse or friend pull the car into the garage and run over you boobs. Hold your breath and don't move while this is happening.) When the examination is complete, you will be asked to wait until the technologist determines that the images are of high enough quality for the radiologist to read. (They better be!!) No wonder our boobs change to 38 LONG as we get older!


Here is a quick funny video you can view to learn how to do self breast exams. Here is a blog that makes beads for a breast cancer fundraiser.