Getting a mammogram is often the best way to find breast cancer early when it’s most treatable. A mammogram can detect breast cancer before any symptoms develop. It can detect a tumor that cannot be felt. However, there are still women who are fearful of the procedure. Dr. Nathaniel Berg is the medical director of Guam Radiology Consultants and he along with Dr. Peachy Piana runs the Breast Imaging Center. Dr. Berg says the reason why many women don't get the procedure is because they think it is painful.

"We pay attention to how we do mammograms so you might feel some pressure but not pain," he said. "So almost every day we encounter women due for their mammograms but don't want to get it because of their experience 10 years ago or someone that told them that the procedure was painful and they're not today.... it's free and it's painless."

When should you have a mammogram? Most medical agencies agree women should at least consider having routine mammograms in their 40s. But when should a mammogram be done at an earlier age?

 

 

"Those who do have a family history of breast cancer are more likely to develop breast cancer and the more families you have...and figure out what's best," Berg said. 

How should you prepare for your appointment?

"Wear a loose-fitting blouse, and best not to wear any deodorant," Berg said. "The two important things....their mammogram."

Dr. Berg also recommends collecting information of other relatives who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

"We are lucky and thank god that technologies have advanced that we have now have the ability to detect that cancer early...we can't prevent it but we can detect it super early," he said.