Emma: Why do I have to get a mammogram? Nothing is wrong.

Dr: Emma, as a woman, you have important things you need to watch out for. One of the ways that women are different from men is that they have a much higher risk of breast cancer.

Emma: Well, why do I need to worry about it? I’m only 42.

Dr: That is precisely the point. Mammograms are like PAP smears, women need to get them regularly to prevent a cancer from happening. Most experts recommend getting a first mammogram at age 40, and every 1 – 2 years after that.

Emma: Is it really that important? My life is so busy.

Dr: Yes, Emma, it is that important. Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer. It strikes the rich and poor both. Kylie Minogue (age 36), Melissa Etheridge (age 43), Sheryl Crow (age 44), Olivia Newton John (age 42) & Edie Falco (of the Sopranos) all were diagnose d with breast cancer.

Emma: Wow, some of those women were younger than me!

Other questions answered by full audio clip ($1.99)

But what if a mammogram finds something?

I worry about getting one of these tests, and then having to have a breast removed.

What exactly is a mammogram?

How often do I have to get mammograms?

At what age should I get my first one?

Will insurance pay for this?

How do I arrange to have a mammogram done?

I heard mammograms hurt. What can my doctor do to make it less painful?

My mother (or sister) had breast cancer. How does that affect my chances of getting breast cancer?

How common is breast cancer? Is it rare? Who has to worry about it?

How do you know when a mammogram has cancer? What does it show?

What happens if a mammogram shows something suspicious? Is it always cancer?

At what age can I stop getting mammograms?