It’s such a coincidence that I scheduled my first post-child mammogram here in Beijing during the month of October, which is recognized around the world as Breast Cancer Awareness month. It just so happened that I was alerted to the presence of a small but persistent lump in my right breast during a recent massage session and decided it would do no harm to cover all my bases. So I called up the hospital to make an appointment for a mammogram.

The first thing I learned is that at Beijing United Family Hospital, I needed to see a doctor in the Breast Surgery Department for a consultation before I could get a mammogram. This isn’t always the case at other clinics and hospitals so check ahead.

Ultrasound instead of mammography

Anyway, the doctor was friendly and assuring as I related my concerns. After a hands-on examination, she suggested that we do an ultrasound instead of a mammogram, the reason being that ultrasounds are more accurate in examining the breasts of women younger than 45. In case you didn’t know, a mammogram is a low-dose X-ray whereas ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to generate an image. Another fun fact: Asian women’s breasts tend to be denser than their Western counterparts.

Forget the pain

At this point, I hope we can do away with the misconception that breast exams are painful. The word mammogram seemingly brings to mind the image of a woman’s bare breasts being squashed by a machine as she winces. But that image is a thing of the past. Though I have yet to do an actual mammogram, I can confidently say that the ultrasound exam was completely painless. The most challenging part was wiping off the excess gel they used.

Cysts are okay

The results were available practically instantly, and concluded that the lump in my right breast (the reason I was there in the first place) was a perfectly harmless liquid-filled cyst. It was best left alone and the worst case scenario would be that it burst due to undue pressure, though even then it wouldn’t be cause for concern. It is tissue that can metastasise into the more worrying tumors. There was a teeny tiny tissue mass (smaller than 1cm) in my left breast that the doctor suggested I return in six months to monitor. Though it is highly likely that this little mass is due to hormonal changes and will dissipate on its own.

Don’t panic if you find anything

More often than not, it really isn’t something to fret about. It’s not advisable to create unnecessary stress worrying about something beyond our control. Googling the worst that can happen may cause sleepless nights and bring on other health problems! Seek medical attention to put your mind at ease instead.

Final notes

For women below 40, yearly breast checkups aren’t necessary. Women between the ages of 40 and 45 can opt for a screening if medical facilities are readily accessible. For women above 45, an annual mammogram is recommended. Check with your medical provider to see if they offer a free screening during October. When I was getting my facial treatment last week, I was offered a free TCM massage for my breasts in honor of this special month.

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Images: Unsplash