Would this encourage more mammograms?

There was a story recently about how applying an anesthetic gel to the breast would numb the breast against pain from a mammogram.

I've had a couple of mammograms and while I can't say they're at the top of my list of fun things to do, they aren't all the comfortable either. I know of some women who say that they're quite painful, yet others breeze right through it without a problem. Unfortunately, the ones that do have pain will hold off having another one if possible, and many women don't get a mammogram because of what they think may be painful - or is that really the case?

I think that if we have a method of helping reduce pain, we should use it. Interestingly, the study found that taking Tylenol or Advil before the mammogram did not reduce pain - only the gel did. But I wonder if the fear of pain really does keep women from having mammograms - especially the first one. Could it be that there is a lot more to it? I think so.

I think the reasons are too numerous to list but here are the ones I think are the most common:

- the "I'm fine, I don't need it" syndrome
- the "it's just another way to get women in to pay for tests" thinking
- the "I'm too busy" mindset
- the "I can't afford it" reason (a very real one in the US)
- the "I'm not sticking my boob to be squished in between two metal plates, whether it's good for me or not" camp.
and finally:
- the "I don't want to and you can't make me" group.

All joking aside, it is true that women have any number of excuses not to get a mammogram. Too bad they don't spend less time defending their stance than going to get it done.




Today at Help My Hurt:

Pain associated with pregnancy
Advocacy companies springing up to help patients get care
ABCs of pain: Z is for…
Migraines and sleep problems
Living with and managing cancer pain
Treating first and second degree burns


Today at Womb Within

ABCs of pain: Q is for…
An unusual wedding gift: the use of her womb
Online research helped woman have a baby
ABCs of pregnancy: P is for…
Celebrity pregnancy: Jennifer Garner pregnant with number two
Video: Medications for pregnant women who have asthma
ABCs of pregnancy: O is for…
Lullabies - they help puppies go to sleep too
Negative attitudes reduce African-American breastfeeding rate


News for Today:

Hip bone density helps predict breast cancer risk
Search for HIV vaccine needs an overhaul, officials say
Exercise helps Alzheimer's patients study says
A less messy way to test for colorectal cancer
Gummy Bears Join Cavity Fight