She's among the 60% that do:  Jeanette, age 58, left her workplace last week to get her annual mammogram.  It was not, she said, an event to which she looked forward. 

Her reluctance is a shared sentiment among women who value the mammogram for its wellness benefits, but endure the discomfort of the procecure, and studies show that some 40% of women avoid the procedure altogether.  Discomfort is believed to be a leading reason.

CRMC reports that they are agressively seeking to change this trend for Upper Cumberland women.  At The Women’s Center of Cookeville Regional Medical Center, a product that improves the experience has been made part of the standard of care.  

The FDA-cleared foam cushion product is called MammoPad®  and the women who have been using it have reported a dramatic ease of the normal discomfort.  CRMC is a certified Softer Mammogram Provider® and Jill Bolling reports that the health facility is pleased that the product creates a softer, warmer and more comfortable mammogram experience. 

According to Bolling, the center hopes to alleviate the fear of discomfort many women have when it comes to getting a mammogram and to encourage women to get mammograms as recommended by the American Cancer Society. 

The American Cancer Society reports women can greatly reduce their risk of death from breast cancer if they receive regular screening mammograms. For this reason, both the society and the American College of Radiology recommend that women 40 and older receive mammograms annually.

“The discomfort many women feel during mammography compression is widely known to be a reason that some don't get regular screenings,” said Spencer Madell, M.D., Medical Director at The Women’s Center of Cookeville Regional Medical Center. 

Use of the foam cushion could help reverse this trend.  MammoPad has been clinically studied in both the U.S. and Sweden, where evaluations in more than 1,300 patients found approximately 70 percent experienced a significant reduction in pain when the cushion was used, Dr. Madell noted.  In addition to compression, the cold surfaces and hard edges of the mammography device can make the experience uncomfortable for some patients.

“The breast cushion addresses these complaints by providing a soft warm cushion for the breast during mammography,” said Dr. Madell. “Women are more relaxed during the exam, and it makes it even easier for our mammography technologists to get the best possible image."

“Early detection of breast cancer can make the crucial difference between life and death,” said Dr. Madell. “Mammograms identify lumps that a woman’s self-exam wouldn’t find until an average of 1.7 years later. That is why regular mammograms are the only scientifically proven way to reduce breast cancer mortality. The breast cushion removes a major barrier to women receiving this important imaging procedure.”

The single-use, adhesive-backed foam cushion attaches to the compression plates of the mammography device. It was developed by Stanford University breast surgeon Gale Lebovic, M.D., who understood mammography discomfort from both a physician and patient’s point of view. 

The breast cushion is “invisible” to X-rays and does not interfere with the image quality of the mammogram.

 “We try to create the best possible experience for our patients,” said Dr. Madell. “We’re pleased to be able to offer our patients this important enhancement.”

The Women’s Center of Cookeville Regional has more information on the procedure and is available to answer questions at 931-783-2628.  To schedule a mammogram, women may call 931-783-2222.

PHOTO: Stephanie Jennings, mammographer at The Women’s Center, performing a mammogram