If it's your first time getting a mammogram, you might not know what to expect and you might be feeling slightly anxious. This is very normal and the technicians who are here to help you with the procedure are used to it. However, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that your mammogram goes as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips.
1. Take Preemptive Ibuprofen
Your first step is to take preemptive ibuprofen or some other painkiller that is available over the counter. This will help you deal with the discomfort of your mammogram, if there is any, and hopefully prevent you from feeling too much pain. Try to take the painkillers at least a half hour before you are scheduled to get your mammogram in order to make sure that they have enough time to kick in.
You want to make sure that you take steps to control any pain that you might feel during a mammogram in order to make sure that you are going to be willing to get another one. Cancer screenings are very important and if you have a bad experience with a screening, you might be reluctant in the future to get another one, which could be harmful to your health. Simply taking measures to make sure that you have a decent experience is important.
2. Have Your Family History of Breast Cancer Written Out
If you have a family history of breast cancer, make sure that you investigate it ahead of time by talking to your parents or to your other relatives. This is important because it will allow you to give the people who are giving the mammogram the most accurate information possible. If you have a strong history of breast cancer and have it spelled out, they might be more likely to call you back for any odd areas on your mammogram because they want to be more careful.
3. Talk to the Technician
Finally, be sure that you talk to your technician and make small talk because this will put you more at ease and distract you from the fact that your breasts are being compressed in a way that is relatively uncomfortable. This will help you build a rapport with the technician, which will make you more comfortable asking questions. Get the most information you can.
For more information, talk to a clinic that specializes in mammograms.
