Mammopads
Many women struggle with getting mammograms.
Anyone who's had one can attest how uncomfortable, even painful they can be.
Dr. Kim Mulvihill joins us on the healthbeat today with a look at a new pad, designed to take the pain out of the lifesaving experience.
A Stanford breast surgeon has come up with a way of taking some of the "ouch" out of mammography.
I think everyone will agree it's a much needed development.
I DREAD HAVING THEM. TO PUT SO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE SKIN AND ITS COLD AND AWKWARD.
Like Vangie Crump.. most women don't look forward to having a mammogram. But that might be changing thanks to mammopads.
A thin foam pad designed to take some of the ouch of mammography.
Stanford Breast surgeon doctor Gail Lebovic says the pads can make a big difference.
Dr. Gail Lebovic/Stanford Breast Surgeon - IT CUSHIONS THE MACHINE.. SO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR RIBS UP AGAINST IT AND THE SKIN.. IT'S WARMER .. IT'S SOFTER.
You CAN GET AS MUCH OR EVEN MORE COMPRESSION.. BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE THINGS CONTRIBUTING TO DISCOMFORT FOR THE PATIENT."
Studies show the mammopads work. Three out of four women have significantly less discomfort with the exam.
VANGIE CRUMP: OH MY GOSH WHAT A DIFFERENCE.. SINCERELY.. IT MADE A DIFFERENCE IT REALLY DID. I DO FEEL THE PAIN, BUT ITS NOT AS BAD AS WITHOUT THE PAD.
Dr. Kim Mulvihill/Healthbeat - MAMMOGRAPHY IS OUR BEST WAY OF SPOTTING BREAST CANCER EARLY.. UNFORTUNATELY.. ONLY 60% OF WOMEN WHO SHOULD GET THESE EXAMS DO SO. IT'S HOPED THAT WITH A SOFTER MAMMOGRAM PERHAPS MORE WOMEN WOULD GET THIS VALUABLE TEST.
PADS COST ABOUT FOUR DOLLARS A PIECE.. FOR BEST RESULTS TWO PADS ARE USED.
LEBOVIC; IT COSTS ABOUT AS MUCH AS PARKING OVER AT STANFORD.
And while the pads reduce the pain of the procedure.. they don't reduce the accuracy.
DR. GAIL LEBOVIC; WOULDN'T DISTORT THE IMAGE IN ANY WAY.. NOR INTRODUCE AN ARTIFACT.
All in all.. it's good news for doctors and patients alike.
VANGIE CRUMP; NEXT YEAR.. IT WILL BE WITH A PAD LIKE THIS YEAR.
The pads can be recycled which is a big plus when you consider how many mammograms are done accross the country each year.
There's a toll free number to call if you'd like to find out where the pads are available... 866-460-4141
