From Pledge to Practice: A Clear Guide to Mammograms, Early Detection, and Owning Your Breast Health

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We turn National Mammogram Day into action with a clear pledge, a practical checklist, and a calm walk-through of 2D vs. 3D screening, callbacks, and considerations for dense breasts. We share a survivor’s story, provide access to resources, and offer simple steps to book, remind, and support.

• the mammogram pledge and why it matters
• a step-by-step checklist before, during, and after screening
• 2D versus 3D mammography and dense breast facts
• what callbacks mean and what to ask your technologist
• age, risk, and when to start screening
• access gaps, free and low-cost options, and community support
• how to do monthly self-checks and what changes to watch
• a survivor story that shows early detection works
• resources to volunteer, donate, and share with others

Please share this podcast with five people today. Take the Mammogram Pledge and book your screening. You can find the checklist on my website and social media channels. Contact your healthcare provider or visit cancer.org to schedule an appointment now.

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Episode Transcript

Wondra Spencer (00:01):
Hello, I hope everyone is having a great day.
So before we dive into thepodcast this week, I want to
invite you to take a moment withme.
Today is National MammogramDay.
We want to earn the power ofearly detection because it does

(00:22):
save lives.
So let's begin with a promiseto ourselves and each other.
The mammogram pledge is Ipledge to prioritize my breast
health.
I will schedule my mammogramwhen I'm due and encourage
others to do the same.
I will learn about my personalrisk factors and talk openly

(00:46):
with my health care provider.
I will support access toscreening for all, especially in
all communities.
And I will share resources,raise awareness, and help
normalize conversations aroundbreast health because early

(01:08):
detection saves lives and everylife matters.
So here's a checklist thatwould prepare you if you're
having your first mammogram oryou're going to get your annual
mammogram.
So I want to walk you throughit.

(01:29):
So this checklist I'm going topost on social media so you can
look for it and on my website.

(01:50):
So before your appointment, youwant to schedule it when it's
convenient time for you.
So try to book your mammogramfor a week after your cycle.
So your breast will be lessless tender, and the experience
can be a little bit morecomfortable.

(02:10):
So choose a healthcare providerthat's comfortable for you.
And you can get a 3D mammogram,which is like a clearer imaging
for more dense press.
And if you have any previousmammograms, you want to bring

(02:32):
your records or have themtransfer over to the provider.
So you want to know your risk,talk to your provider about your
family history, your lifestyle,any genetic factors, and don't
hesitate to ask any questions ifyou notice any concerns that

(02:53):
you have or changes in yourbreast.
You want to make sure you speakup.
So the day of the exam of yourappointment for your mammogram,
you want to skip yourdeodorants, lotions, powders, or
perfumes around your chest andunderarm areas because it can

(03:14):
interfere with the imaging.
So wear a two-piece outfit.
So you just need to remove thetop and your bra area.
So arrive early so you canrelax and maybe find some
parking, complete any paperworkthat you need to do.
And don't forget youridentification card and

(03:37):
insurance card if needed.
So during the mammogram, it'sgoing to apply pressure, which
is going to be veryuncomfortable, but it's quick
and it shouldn't be painful.
So let the technologist know ifyou have any implants, if

(03:59):
you're pregnant, if you needassistance.
And there's two types ofmammograms: your standard one,
which is your 2D, and your 3Done, which is for denser
breasts, where they can get aclearer picture of your breasts.
So ask after exam, you want toask them when will you get your

(04:22):
results?
And if you're called back,don't panic.
You want to make sure that youanswer any questions or concerns
for the and after the exam.
So once you're completing themammogram, you can put on

(04:46):
deodorant and you can ask forwipes or a fresh stick after you
completed your mammogram.
Once again, I will put thischecklist on my website and
social media.
So welcome to the MotivationalFeel podcast.
This is your weekly dose ofinspiration, empowerment, and
real talk.

(05:06):
Whether you're tuning in frommy YouTube channel or listening
on your favorite podcaststation, I am so grateful you
are here with me.
I am your host, Wondra Spencer,the founder of Inspire and
Drive LLC, and I'm a firmbeliever in motivation from
within.
The podcast, I want to give yousome clarity, some purpose,

(05:30):
some strength around the topics,and I want to share some topics
around love, health, self-care,lifestyle, finances, personal
growth, spirituality.
And alongside my listeners likeyou, you can share your stories
that help uplift others, rise.
You can reset, refocuspersonally and professionally.

(05:54):
So grab your cup of coffee,take a deep breath, and let's
dive into this podcast from theinside out.
So again, this is the NationalMammogram Day, which is talking
about the screening.
I do have a previous episodefrom 2023, the breast cancer

(06:16):
awareness on my website.
It's 32 minutes and about 27seconds, and it has a wealth of
information.
So the National Mammogram Day,I'm not sure if you know, it is
the third Friday in October,part of the breast cancer
awareness month.
So the goal is to break downthe mammograms, why they matter,

(06:41):
how they can save lives, andespecially when it comes to
early detection.
Whether you're scheduling yourfirst one or you need someone to
support you while you'regetting your mammogram.
So this is for you.
So I want to definitely give ashout out to the Out of Time

(07:04):
Mobile Notary and the CPRtrainer out of Cleveland, Ohio,
Miss Anitra Hawkins.
Miss Hawkins will come to youdirectly.
She has her remote onlinenotary, her fingerprinting,
bank, trust, will loans,schools, and she does CPR
training for adults, kids, andteenagers.

(07:26):
So look her up on Facebook,threads, and she has the trusted
hands cpr training.com.
So you can definitely supportMiss Hawkins, and I just wanted
to give a shout out.
So with the national mammogram,it's observed, definitely

(07:50):
encourage screening and earlydetection.
So why it matters, mammogramsscreening reduce breast cancer,
it finds other cancers thatapprove any outcomes, it targets
women from different ageranges, risks.

(08:13):
You can start around the age of40, but if you have a family
history or you're noticingsomething that's going on with
your rest, you can start earlierand talk to your provider.
So don't be afraid to do that.
So mammogram screening ratesare lower in the younger age

(08:34):
groups by race regarding theinsurance factors, the income.
On the CDC website, forexample, in 2023, 79.8% of women
ages 50 through 74 had amammogram at a rate higher than
the 62.1 percent in the age of40 to 49 age group in 2023.

(09:00):
So factors are not gettingregular checkups, not having
insurance, and this is on theCDC well site.
So I encourage everyone to getyour mammogram, definitely.
So with the mammograms, it is alow dose x-ray of breasts

(09:24):
that's examining your breastarea, and it helps detect early
cancer.
So if you have any symptoms,early detection can increase
survival rates.
Breast cancer is called in theearly stages, it is a five-year
survival rate, and it's over90%.
But one thing is a lot ofpeople delay the mammograms

(09:48):
because they fear it,misinformation, they don't have
enough information.
So I just want to share someinformation with you.
So with the mammogram, you wantto definitely schedule it,
schedule it after your cyclewhen your breasts are not so

(10:09):
tender, so they're really lesstender, and you want to, as I
put in the checklist, avoid thedeodorants, the lotions, because
they can interfere with theimaging, and try to schedule it
earlier in the day, which isconvenient for you, or late in
the afternoon.
Ask if they have any walk-intimes to do mammograms, which

(10:32):
will be great.
So during the exam, your breastwill be placed on a flat
surface and it will becompressed.
Okay, so I know it'suncomfortable, but it'll be
quick, and it will have an imageof your breasts.
So your 2D, which is yourstandard, and your 3D, which is

(10:55):
gives a detailed view of yourdenser breast.
So if you need a 3D one, so youcan ask your provider for 2D or
3D if you're not sure aboutwhich type of mammogram you need
to get.
So they will call you back ifit's anything they need to get

(11:21):
some additional imaging, or theyneed to redo it, some things
like that.
Definitely will give you a callback.
So your wrist density andindividual screening, of course,
not all breasts are the same.
Screening plans can bedifferent, so your breast

(11:41):
density is more fibrous comparedto fat.
Dense breasts can make itharder to spot anything abnormal
on the mammogram.
So they can probably need a 3Done, and then if you're linked

(12:02):
to any breast cancer, so yourfamily history, genetic
mutations, your age, lifestylefactors.
If you're a higher risk, yourprovider can recommend some a
mammogram to you earlier or ascreening or do like an

(12:27):
ultrasound or a MRI, also.
So I want to share a quote withyou from a survivor that I
know.
She was in her early 40s, shedid not have any symptoms, no
family history, and hermammogram taught it caught a
tiny stage one, and she had tohave surgery and radiation, and

(12:54):
she is cancer free, and shewanted to share with everyone
that the screening did save herlife.
So, your steps I want you to doschedule your mammogram, talk
to your provider, and bepersonal with your provider,
don't be scared, you know,anything you're having issues

(13:16):
with your breasts.
You can research any freemammograms, any low-cost
screening.
If you want to donate avolunteer locally, you can look
up the National Breast CancerFoundation, the CDC, Breast
Cancer Early Detection, you canvolunteer and donate also.

(13:40):
I want to thank everyone forjoining the podcast today.
Really share with everyoneabout early detection because it
saves lives, and mammograms arereally powerful.
So if you you listen to thepledge earlier, review it, it is

(14:03):
on the nationalbreastcancer.org, the CDC
website, and with the pledge,it's just telling you to
schedule your mammogram whenit's due, share with family,
your friends, and co-workers toget screened, your pledge for
personal risk factors, talk toyour provider, get the support

(14:26):
that you need in thecommunities, and share because a
lot of people are reallynervous about talking to others
about their breasts and breastcancer and mammograms.
So you really shouldn't be shyabout the topic.
So commit to sharing withothers, and if you're 40 and

(14:52):
over, if you have risk factors,call your provider today or use
your local cancer.org resourcesand book your mammogram.
So with the mammograms, you'regonna feel your pressure, it
won't be that painful, and itcan take about 15 to 30 minutes.

(15:15):
If you took the mammogrampledge, it's at the beginning of
the podcast.
Share it, live it, and helpsomeone get supported and feel
seen about the mammograms.
So with your breasts, you wantto check for lumps or any
changes.
If you have like a discharge,definitely go, but check your

(15:40):
breasts seven to ten days afteryour cycle because that would be
is less tender.
If you don't have a cycle, youwant to check on a specific day
as a reminder.
So if you put on your calendarthe first, so any persistent

(16:01):
lumps or changes, go to yourdoctor immediately, and some
lumps are benign, but you wantto get follow-up about the your
breast.
So with the mammograms, youwant to do them monthly, seven
to ten days after your cycle.

(16:23):
Understand your baseline, soany changes, maybe keeping a log
so you can write it down ifyou're feeling any changes, and
be consistent, make it a habit.
You're looking for any lumps,any thickness, the changes in
sizes, the change in a onebreast, the skin changes, if you

(16:48):
have any dimpling, there,redness, of course, nipple
discharge.
You want to go get checked out,a change in nipple size.
Maybe the nipple is inwards.
So if you find any changes,don't ignore it.
Call your provider, get a getyour appointment immediately.

(17:12):
Definitely don't put it off.
Remember, all lumps are notcancerous, but definitely check
with your provider and know yourbreasts, know what they feel
like, what their normal shouldlook like.
Look in the mirror, you know,really take action and look at
your breasts.
With your self-exams, theycannot replace the professional

(17:36):
ones with the provider and yourmammograms, but it's a way to
get familiar with your bot withyour body.
So, to all of my survivors,your fighters, your thrivers of
breast cancer, your courage is abeacon.
Your strength, your resilience,your vulnerability, you inspire

(18:00):
me, others to rise, speak out,and take action.
Whether you're in the midst ofthe fight, you're standing tall
on the other side, your storymatters.
You remind us that earlydetection saves lives, it can
support and heal, and that hopeis never out of reach.

(18:23):
Thank you for showing us whattrue bravery looks like.
We see you, we celebrate you,and we deeply appreciate you.
So please share this podcastwith others.
As you may know, how to performa breaks exam or help them
schedule their mammogram ifthey're so busy.

(18:45):
But definitely remember earlydetection saves lives.
Take the mammogram pledge,share the tech checklist that I
share with you, share withsomeone.
Let's normalize theseconversations around brace
health.
You got this, and you're notalone.

(19:06):
Until next time, stay informed,stay empowered, and take care
of yourselves.
The upcoming podcast, I want toshare some books.
So it would be National BookMonth, which is in October.
And you can purchase my booksat the local retailers on my

(19:27):
website.
And I want to know, you shouldknow this that you have the
power of your story, your spiritmatters.
Brought to you by the Inspireand Drive team.
And if today's episode spoke toyou, share with five other

(19:50):
people.
My YouTube channel, I'm onFacebook, Instagram, TikTok, X
LinkedIn, Threads, Alignable atWondra Spencer, and I see my
listeners from all over theworld.
Thank you for checking in atthe podcast.
You can see my email.
I will send one back.
Maybe even shout out someone onthe next coming episode.

(20:14):
Until next time, protect yourenergy, honor your growth, keep
driving forward, and rememberthis is the mammogram day.
Get your mammograms andreminders.
Have a great day.