by Evangeline Uriyu

Created on: October 31, 2009

The fear of having a mammogram revolves around two central issues. The obvious one is will it hurt? Women listen to other women's stories of having experienced extreme pain or discomfort when having a mammogram. When this happens, a woman having her first mammogram enters the room with a preconceived mind-set that the exam is going to hurt. Her body will become tense and the exam will be difficult.

The second issue is centered on the outcome of the mammogram. This life saving exam is performed to find breast disease and cancer and no other reason. It isn't done for broken bones, sprains or arthritis. This is an exam that's sole purpose is to detect early breast cancer. This alone would strike fear into anyone's heart.

There is absolutely no dispute that having a mammogram is going to evoke feelings of anxiety, fear, loss of privacy and even embarrassment. Having to wait for results is even more exquisitely painful.

The moment a woman enters the mammography suite she is bombarded with the two fears mentioned above plus all the many sub-fears associated with them.

Will my mammogram result be abnormal?

What is the next step?

Will a biopsy hurt?

Will I lose my breast?

Will I lose my husband/partner?

Will I lose my life?

Will the mammogram exam permanently flatten or damage my breasts?

These are just some of the fears that buzz around in one's mind. The less we know about an exam the scarier it is, and the more difficult. So first let's define all the players involved in a mammogram.

*The Mammography Technologist.

The mammography technologist is an x-ray technologist who picked this specialty and passed a second registry to receive her R.T.R.M. These letters stand for registered technologist in radiology and mammography. She must be licensed by the state she works in. The technologist must also receive a certain amount of continuing education credits to keep her license and registration current. Technologists are not allowed to give results or opinions about your mammogram otherwise they could lose their license to practice. Virtually all mammography technologists are females with the exception of remote areas of the country. This specialty is not for every x-ray tech. Mammography technologists have chosen this specialty because they are committed to excellence in detecting early breast cancers. They are trained professionals who form absolutely no opinion regarding a patient's body, social position, or economic status. They will remember you for your personality

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