Leslie Ann: Let’s Talk About Breasts!

I'm about to get very personal, so get ready!  Being a woman, there are some things I have to deal with that I would rather not.  I'm talking about the mammogram. 

I'm 45 now, and at my last health checkup in December my doctor recommended that I get an annual mammogram.  With health information always changing, the recommendations for how often you should get a mammogram are always changing too. So when my doctor brought it up, I definitely hesitated to agree to it.

First of all, it's an x-ray. We all know that x-rays expose you to radiation and are not to be taken lightly, at least in my opinion.  But (there's always a but) with cancer so prevalent nowadays, early detection is incredibly important and saves lives all the time.  So, after hemming and hawing, I decided that I'd go for the peace of mind.

For those of you who would rather turn a blind eye to your health, you're not doing yourself any favors. I believe that ignoring our health by avoiding checkups and recommended tests only causes a pile of problems and possible heartache down the road. That little bit of inconvenience and discomfort is well worth the peace of mind given when a test shows an "all clear!"  Let's just say, I have never regretted maintaining my regular checkups.

It helps if you have adequate health insurance. Women on a low income might want to check out the Susan G. Komen website. This page provides information about low-cost or free mammograms.