My First Mammogram at OU Health, and Why I Wish I Hadn't Waited

By Jayme Phillips, Director of Community Relations and Strategic Programs at OU Health

I'll be honest with you. At 44 years old, I hadn't had my first mammogram yet. Not because I didn't know I should. Not because I didn't have access. But because, like so many women, I kept putting it off. Between work, life and chasing around a toddler, preventive care took a backseat to everything else on my plate.

Then one day, I casually mentioned to a colleague during a phone call that I still hadn't scheduled my mammogram. She immediately took my phone and literally scheduled it for me right then and there. And you know what? That nudge changed everything.

Now that I've been through it, I want to share my experience with you because if you've been putting off your mammogram like I did, I hope my story will help you take that next step. Spoiler alert! It was so much easier than I expected.

Scheduling Was Surprisingly Quick

Here's the first thing that surprised me. When my colleague scheduled my appointment at OU Health, it happened fast. We made the call on a Thursday, and I had my appointment the following Tuesday. No months-long wait. No complicated process. Just a quick phone call to (800) 422-4626, and it was done.

OU Health has four locations in the Oklahoma City metro and Edmond for breast imaging and mammograms, so you can make appointments close to home or work, even on Saturdays. That flexibility makes it so much easier to fit into your schedule.

Preparing for the Appointment (Or Not)

Want to know what I had to do to prepare? Nothing. Seriously, nothing. I just showed up.

I filled out some forms when I arrived (you can actually check in online beforehand through MyChart to save even more time), and that was it. Some facilities recommend not wearing deodorant with aluminum, but I already use aluminum-free deodorant anyway, so it wasn't an issue.

The whole thing felt incredibly low-key, which immediately put me at ease.

Walking Through the Experience Step by Step

Let me walk you through exactly what happened so you know what to expect.

Check-In and Changing
After checking in, they called me back pretty quickly. They took me to a private changing room where I removed my top but kept my pants on. They gave me this flowery drape that snaps in the front with open arms. It's not uncomfortable at all, just a simple cover-up. And because it was my first mammogram, I even got a special pen as a little welcome gift!

Meeting the Technologist
Next, they brought me to the imaging room, where a really kind technologist explained everything I should expect. This is where I want to be completely transparent about my experience: I have breast implants, so my exam had a few extra steps compared to someone who doesn't. They needed to take images with the implant and then separate my breast tissue away from the implant to get clear pictures of just the tissue.

The Actual Imaging
Everyone always wants to know if it hurts.

For me, it didn't hurt. Was it comfortable? No, not exactly. But it definitely wasn't painful. The technologist positions your breast on a clear platform, and then another clear plate comes down and compresses it to get a good image. You hold your breath while they take the picture.

The whole process feels a bit like a dance with the machine. The technologist might ask you to turn your hips, stick your booty out, or adjust your position to get the right angle. It's actually kind of funny in retrospect. The compression feels tight, especially the extra images they needed because of my implants, but honestly? I expected it to hurt a lot worse based on stories I'd heard from my mother and grandmother. My experience was nothing like that.

I think everyone's sensitivity levels are different, so what feels like mild discomfort to me might feel different to you. But I can tell you that it was far less overwhelming than I'd built it up to be in my head.

The Wait and Review
After the imaging, they check to make sure they got all the angles they need. In my case, they needed one extra picture because of breast density, so we did that quickly. Then I changed back into my clothes, and that was it.

Total time from walking in the door to walking out was about an hour, including paperwork and changing.

Getting Results: Faster Than Expected

This part really impressed me. I got my results in about 30 minutes. Now, my appointment was at the end of the day (around 3 or 3:30 p.m.), so that might have contributed to the quick turnaround. But even in normal circumstances, OU Health's breast health team includes highly regarded board-certified and fellowship-trained breast radiologists who work efficiently to review your results.

When those results came back clear, the relief I felt was real. I hadn't even realized how much anxiety I'd been carrying about not having it done yet.

Why You Should Stop Putting It Off

Look, I get it. I procrastinated on this for years. But now that I've done it, here's what I want you to know:

It's less overwhelming than going to the dentist. And I really dislike going to the dentist. At the dentist, you're stuck in a chair for an hour and a half or two hours, can't look at your phone, can't do anything. This isn't like that at all. It's quick, straightforward, and you're in and out.

It's simple to schedule. You can book online or call, and they have lots of available appointments. Experts from the Society of Breast Imaging, the American College of Radiology and OU Health agree that women 40 and older should get yearly screening mammograms for early detection of breast cancer or other breast health issues.

The peace of mind is worth it. Once you know your results are clear, you can check that box and not worry about it for another year. No more guilt when your primary care provider asks if you've had your mammogram. No more anxiety about putting it off.

Before I left, they scheduled my next appointment for one year from now, which is perfect for a procrastinator like me. The likelihood of me canceling that pre-scheduled appointment is very low. It's on the books, I'm accountable, and I don't have to remember to schedule it myself.

What's Available at OU Health

When you choose OU Health for your breast health needs, you get access to advanced technology including 3-D mammography at specific network sites. If you need additional care or treatment after your mammogram, you benefit from comprehensive services at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma's only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center.

The whole system is designed to make this as easy as possible for you, from screening to any follow-up care you might need.

If you've been putting off your mammogram, here's what I'd say. Just check the box. It's easy. It's quick. It's not nearly as big of a deal as what you've heard or what you've built up in your mind.

You'll feel good knowing your breasts are healthy, and you can move along with your life for the next year without that nagging feeling that you should have done it already.

I'm so glad my colleague pushed me to schedule that appointment. Now I'm hoping I can be that nudge for someone else.

Ready to Schedule Your Mammogram?

Call OU Health’s breast health experts at (800) 422-4626 or schedule online. Don't wait like I did. Your future self will thank you.
Take it from someone who finally checked the box. You've got this.