June 1, 2026 • 9 mins
Ladies! Here's your reminder to do this simple and effective, proactive and important thing for your health. Make an appointment to get a Mammogram. I got to speak with Certified Breast Health Coordinator for Reading Hospital-Tower Health, Andrea Ebling, and learned so much in a ten minute conversation. Check it out and make that appointment this Mammogram Monday. Don't put it off any longer and encourage all the ladies in your life to do the same! Visit TowerHealth.org/FindItEarly or call 1-833-34-TOWER.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's mammogram Monday. I'm Leah Tyler, and I want to
remind you to take care of you.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Today's the perfect day to stop procrastinating and make that call,
make that appointment.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
I just got my mammogram last week.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Actually at a Reading Hospital Tower Health Imaging Center. Always
quick and easy, they're always friendly and professional. And you
know that mammogram came with the bonus, the big bonus
of peace of mind. So honestly, it's good for your
physical and mental health.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Right.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
But I'm not the mammogram expert here.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
I'm joined by a certified breast health coordinator for Reading
Hospital Tower Health Breast Imaging Centers.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
So welcome Andrea Appling.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Hi, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
So how long have you been in that role.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
I've been in this role a few years. I've been
with Tower Health for almost twenty now. Oh wow, yeah,
specializing in breast health for almost fifteen years now, so
it's been a while. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Yeah, what made you want to get into that exactly?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Oh, I've always had an interest in mammography and breast
health with women. So when this opportunity presented itself, I
really just wanted to move over here so that I
could help more women.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Yeah, it's been a great opportunity.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
I'm very happy here.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Yeah, it's definitely got to be rewarding. So being a
part of the Reading Hospital Tower Health team is great.
Everybody supports each other. Great place to work, so not
just a great place.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
To be a patient.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Okay, all right, let's start with a really simple question
because maybe not everyone knows. Maybe someone's thirty nine and
they're like, do I start this yet? Or you know,
who needs a mammogram?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
So mammogram recommendations are for anyone age forty and over
for a regular screening mammogram, we recommend yearly screenings. However,
if you have a family history of breast cancer with
an immediate family member such as a mother or a sister,
we recommend you come in under forty only if they
have been diagnosed ten years prior.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Okay, a little confusing.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Usually if you call your doctor, they're able to guide
you on what age is appropriate to start.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
And I love that it's annual because you can't forget right.
I usually don't even say mammogram by itself. It's annual,
Mamma Graham. We've got to get everybody in there, every year,
make that habit the same way you do with your
other wellness visits. I've had nothing but positive experiences with
both preventative which that's what this is, and other healthcare
(02:21):
when it comes to Reading Hospital, Tower Health.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
But why would you.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Encourage ladies to make that mammogram appointment at one of
your imaging centers?
Speaker 1 (02:28):
What sets you apart?
Speaker 3 (02:29):
I definitely think that our care here is very, very high.
We really take care and pride in caring for our patients.
When we are with you, we take care of you
one hundred percent, or with you the entire time. We
explain the procedure, We take our time to make sure
that we get really nice images and that you understand
everything that's happening as we're doing it. We explain the procedure,
(02:52):
we explain exactly how that compression works and why it's
so important for early detection.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
And just to brag on you a little bit too.
And Reading Hospital is one of the top fifty hospitals
in America, so you really don't have to travel far
for exceptional care. And I think that's one of the
main reasons people say, Oh, I haven't done it because
I'm too busy, But I feel like you guys do
so much to make it convenient, right we do.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
We have our main location at Springbridge with main reading.
We have some locations in Leasport and Exeter and then
pots tim and Phoenix FO also have their locations. Then
we also have a wonderful addition we have the mobile
Mamography Coach which goes throughout the county. I don't know
if you've seen it come, you know, pass by you.
It's pretty hard to miss if you see it. But
(03:39):
it really makes it much easier for access for women
to you know, it doesn't take as much time. They
don't have to drive to a location because it's right
there for you. It's quick, easy and convenient.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, I mean really that's what it's all about. But
beyond being busy, why do you think women are not
making that appointment? What do you think is holding people
back other than just I'm too busy. Because I just
have to say, you know, I always make mine first
thing in the morning, and I walk in there's almost
no one there, and I walk out in less than
(04:09):
twenty minutes sometimes, so it's really quick and easy. It's
probably the easiest thing I do for my health all
year round.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Honestly.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
But other than you know, maybe not being able to
make the time, why do you think women are not
making that appointment. Do you think there's some misinformation out there,
some mammogram myths, people think they don't need.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
It or I do think that there's a lot of
mammogram myths. The main one is people think it's uncomfortable.
No one wants to really have it done. And I
think that that trickles down the line and with each
person they think, oh, it's it's uncomfortable, you don't want
to come in and have it done, But really it's
not anyone. Most people who have had a mammogram done
really say it's not bad, like, you know, they thought
it was going to make. Especially when people have their
(04:49):
first one, they're like, oh my gosh, this is not
what I anticipated it to be. Yeah. So I think
just getting that awareness out there that there is a
reason for it. There's not many tests out there that
can test specifically for cancer and this is one of them.
So coming in and getting that mammogram done, getting that
early detection or you know, and the peace of mind
knowing that everything was okay is definitely key so that
(05:10):
you can continue on with your life and take care
of your family exactly.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
And I would say some other mammogram myths are that
people think, oh, I don't have a family history, so
it's not a big deal, or oh mine was fine
last year, so I don't need it again. Well we've
said annual five hundred times. But also I think that's
a big myth is people think.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
That am I wrong here in this?
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Like most breast cancer cases, there is no family history.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Right.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
There can be many that there's no family history, and
you're right, that is a big myth. People definitely do think,
you know, oh I don't have breast cancer in my family.
I'm fine, But you don't have to have breast cancer
in your family for you to be the first one
to have it. So getting that mammogram definitely does make
a difference to come in. I mean, it's one in
eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, so it's
a decent number there to when we have the capability
(06:00):
to just get a checked, why not do.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
It, right?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
And yeah, that one in eight doesn't have to be
so scary when you catch it early, So make that
appointment this Mama gram Monday. I would say another myth
people are afraid of the radiation, but it's not dangerous.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
It's so low dose.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
It is incredibly low dose with radiation. You know, the
higher radiation goes with you know, trying to get through
bone something hard. We're not going through bone for mammograms,
so it's very very low dose mammogram. So a lot
of people do have that myth as well, that they
think radiation is really bad.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yeah, and and people probably sometimes think that those self
exams are good enough, but you're just not going to
catch everything.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
With that correct So self exams are wonderful and we
do encourage you to do them once a month so
then that way you're familiar with your body so that
you notice when there's a change. But there are a
lot of things that mammograms pick up that you're not
going to feel until they have progressed. So mammograms are
really important for that. Like I said, the early detection,
(07:05):
you get a mammogram, you might not be able to
feel this area, but there is you know, things that
can be in there that need to be checked further.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Yeah, And as far as the technology goes, what has
changed in the last few years as far as the
actual imaging itself. You know, three D mimmography. It's different
than just a regular mammogram, right.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Right, So the way we take the mammograms are still
the same, so that hasn't changed, but our technology has
so three D allows us to see much more within
the breast tissue than we could before. So when you
take the picture, it's instead of just one full picture,
takes a series of little, tiny mini pictures and then
(07:46):
it compiles them together. I like to use analogy, kind
of like a mini little cat scan, so that you
can go through each layer and see what's what's going
on in there.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Okay, it's been very helpful.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
I mean, is there anything else you want to add?
Anything else else that people should know other than get
it done annually?
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Make that appointment.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
It's so easy, and I'm gonna give you the website
and the phone number. I'll give you the phone number
right now, one eight three three thirty four Tower to
schedule that mammogram. Also, I love that the website is
towerhealth dot org slash find it early, because that's so
that's what this is all about, finding it early. That's,
you know, giving you so much power over your own health.
(08:29):
Early detection. I mean, everyone we've pounded it in. You know,
that's the best way you can fight breast cancer.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I agree, yes, definitely, early detection is key. Scheduling your
mammogram yearly is really really helpful so the doctors can
compare how your breast tissue looks from one year to
the next and identify anything and investigate it if need be.
Otherwise you have that peace of mind. Really, come in
schedule your mammograms at Tower. We'd love to have you here.
We have openings, so please make sure that you prioritize
(08:59):
your health.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
And comment absolutely, and you know, pass it on.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Maybe you've heard this today, but maybe a friend or
family member or coworker didn't hear it.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
So pass it on. Let's talk about this. It shouldn't
be something that's hush hush, you know.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
And go ahead, take that selfie in that glamorous hospital
gown and be like, I got my mammogram today, and
let this be a reminder to get your mammogram as well.
So happy mammogram Monday, everyone. This is your reminder, this
is your sign. Make that appointment.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Thanks Andrea, all right, thank you so much, have a
good day you too. Bye bye bye.
It's mammogram Monday. I'm Leah Tyler, and I want to
remind you to take care of you.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Today's the perfect day to stop procrastinating and make that call,
make that appointment.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
I just got my mammogram last week.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Actually at a Reading Hospital Tower Health Imaging Center. Always
quick and easy, they're always friendly and professional. And you
know that mammogram came with the bonus, the big bonus
of peace of mind. So honestly, it's good for your
physical and mental health.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Right.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
But I'm not the mammogram expert here.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
I'm joined by a certified breast health coordinator for Reading
Hospital Tower Health Breast Imaging Centers.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
So welcome Andrea Appling.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Hi, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
So how long have you been in that role.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
I've been in this role a few years. I've been
with Tower Health for almost twenty now. Oh wow, yeah,
specializing in breast health for almost fifteen years now, so
it's been a while. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Yeah, what made you want to get into that exactly?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Oh, I've always had an interest in mammography and breast
health with women. So when this opportunity presented itself, I
really just wanted to move over here so that I
could help more women.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Yeah, it's been a great opportunity.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
I'm very happy here.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Yeah, it's definitely got to be rewarding. So being a
part of the Reading Hospital Tower Health team is great.
Everybody supports each other. Great place to work, so not
just a great place.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
To be a patient.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Okay, all right, let's start with a really simple question
because maybe not everyone knows. Maybe someone's thirty nine and
they're like, do I start this yet? Or you know,
who needs a mammogram?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
So mammogram recommendations are for anyone age forty and over
for a regular screening mammogram, we recommend yearly screenings. However,
if you have a family history of breast cancer with
an immediate family member such as a mother or a sister,
we recommend you come in under forty only if they
have been diagnosed ten years prior.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Okay, a little confusing.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Usually if you call your doctor, they're able to guide
you on what age is appropriate to start.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Right.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
And I love that it's annual because you can't forget right.
I usually don't even say mammogram by itself. It's annual,
Mamma Graham. We've got to get everybody in there, every year,
make that habit the same way you do with your
other wellness visits. I've had nothing but positive experiences with
both preventative which that's what this is, and other healthcare
(02:21):
when it comes to Reading Hospital, Tower Health.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
But why would you.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
Encourage ladies to make that mammogram appointment at one of
your imaging centers?
Speaker 1 (02:28):
What sets you apart?
Speaker 3 (02:29):
I definitely think that our care here is very, very high.
We really take care and pride in caring for our patients.
When we are with you, we take care of you
one hundred percent, or with you the entire time. We
explain the procedure, We take our time to make sure
that we get really nice images and that you understand
everything that's happening as we're doing it. We explain the procedure,
(02:52):
we explain exactly how that compression works and why it's
so important for early detection.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
And just to brag on you a little bit too.
And Reading Hospital is one of the top fifty hospitals
in America, so you really don't have to travel far
for exceptional care. And I think that's one of the
main reasons people say, Oh, I haven't done it because
I'm too busy, But I feel like you guys do
so much to make it convenient, right we do.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
We have our main location at Springbridge with main reading.
We have some locations in Leasport and Exeter and then
pots tim and Phoenix FO also have their locations. Then
we also have a wonderful addition we have the mobile
Mamography Coach which goes throughout the county. I don't know
if you've seen it come, you know, pass by you.
It's pretty hard to miss if you see it. But
(03:39):
it really makes it much easier for access for women
to you know, it doesn't take as much time. They
don't have to drive to a location because it's right
there for you. It's quick, easy and convenient.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, I mean really that's what it's all about. But
beyond being busy, why do you think women are not
making that appointment? What do you think is holding people
back other than just I'm too busy. Because I just
have to say, you know, I always make mine first
thing in the morning, and I walk in there's almost
no one there, and I walk out in less than
(04:09):
twenty minutes sometimes, so it's really quick and easy. It's
probably the easiest thing I do for my health all
year round.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Honestly.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
But other than you know, maybe not being able to
make the time, why do you think women are not
making that appointment. Do you think there's some misinformation out there,
some mammogram myths, people think they don't need.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
It or I do think that there's a lot of
mammogram myths. The main one is people think it's uncomfortable.
No one wants to really have it done. And I
think that that trickles down the line and with each
person they think, oh, it's it's uncomfortable, you don't want
to come in and have it done, But really it's
not anyone. Most people who have had a mammogram done
really say it's not bad, like, you know, they thought
it was going to make. Especially when people have their
(04:49):
first one, they're like, oh my gosh, this is not
what I anticipated it to be. Yeah. So I think
just getting that awareness out there that there is a
reason for it. There's not many tests out there that
can test specifically for cancer and this is one of them.
So coming in and getting that mammogram done, getting that
early detection or you know, and the peace of mind
knowing that everything was okay is definitely key so that
(05:10):
you can continue on with your life and take care
of your family exactly.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
And I would say some other mammogram myths are that
people think, oh, I don't have a family history, so
it's not a big deal, or oh mine was fine
last year, so I don't need it again. Well we've
said annual five hundred times. But also I think that's
a big myth is people think.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
That am I wrong here in this?
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Like most breast cancer cases, there is no family history.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Right.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
There can be many that there's no family history, and
you're right, that is a big myth. People definitely do think,
you know, oh I don't have breast cancer in my family.
I'm fine, But you don't have to have breast cancer
in your family for you to be the first one
to have it. So getting that mammogram definitely does make
a difference to come in. I mean, it's one in
eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, so it's
a decent number there to when we have the capability
(06:00):
to just get a checked, why not do.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
It, right?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
And yeah, that one in eight doesn't have to be
so scary when you catch it early, So make that
appointment this Mama gram Monday. I would say another myth
people are afraid of the radiation, but it's not dangerous.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
It's so low dose.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
It is incredibly low dose with radiation. You know, the
higher radiation goes with you know, trying to get through
bone something hard. We're not going through bone for mammograms,
so it's very very low dose mammogram. So a lot
of people do have that myth as well, that they
think radiation is really bad.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yeah, and and people probably sometimes think that those self
exams are good enough, but you're just not going to
catch everything.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
With that correct So self exams are wonderful and we
do encourage you to do them once a month so
then that way you're familiar with your body so that
you notice when there's a change. But there are a
lot of things that mammograms pick up that you're not
going to feel until they have progressed. So mammograms are
really important for that. Like I said, the early detection,
(07:05):
you get a mammogram, you might not be able to
feel this area, but there is you know, things that
can be in there that need to be checked further.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Yeah, And as far as the technology goes, what has
changed in the last few years as far as the
actual imaging itself. You know, three D mimmography. It's different
than just a regular mammogram, right.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Right, So the way we take the mammograms are still
the same, so that hasn't changed, but our technology has
so three D allows us to see much more within
the breast tissue than we could before. So when you
take the picture, it's instead of just one full picture,
takes a series of little, tiny mini pictures and then
(07:46):
it compiles them together. I like to use analogy, kind
of like a mini little cat scan, so that you
can go through each layer and see what's what's going
on in there.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Okay, it's been very helpful.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
I mean, is there anything else you want to add?
Anything else else that people should know other than get
it done annually?
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Make that appointment.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
It's so easy, and I'm gonna give you the website
and the phone number. I'll give you the phone number
right now, one eight three three thirty four Tower to
schedule that mammogram. Also, I love that the website is
towerhealth dot org slash find it early, because that's so
that's what this is all about, finding it early. That's,
you know, giving you so much power over your own health.
(08:29):
Early detection. I mean, everyone we've pounded it in. You know,
that's the best way you can fight breast cancer.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I agree, yes, definitely, early detection is key. Scheduling your
mammogram yearly is really really helpful so the doctors can
compare how your breast tissue looks from one year to
the next and identify anything and investigate it if need be.
Otherwise you have that peace of mind. Really, come in
schedule your mammograms at Tower. We'd love to have you here.
We have openings, so please make sure that you prioritize
(08:59):
your health.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
And comment absolutely, and you know, pass it on.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Maybe you've heard this today, but maybe a friend or
family member or coworker didn't hear it.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
So pass it on. Let's talk about this. It shouldn't
be something that's hush hush, you know.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
And go ahead, take that selfie in that glamorous hospital
gown and be like, I got my mammogram today, and
let this be a reminder to get your mammogram as well.
So happy mammogram Monday, everyone. This is your reminder, this
is your sign. Make that appointment.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Thanks Andrea, all right, thank you so much, have a
good day you too. Bye bye bye.
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