When 55-year-old Lalita Green of St. Petersburg, Florida, went in for her routine mammogram, she expected the usual “all clear.” For years, she had convinced herself that her small breast size meant her risk of cancer was low.
“I just thought that because my breasts were small, I couldn’t get breast cancer,” she said. “I used to tease myself before mammograms, wondering if they even had enough to squish. I never imagined anything would show up.”
But in 2022, her screening revealed early-stage breast cancer—something she never would have found on her own. She received her treatment at BayCare’s St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and continues to return to the Susan Sheppard McGillicuddy Breast Center for her annual mammograms.
“Breast size has no bearing on cancer risk,” said Dr. Negar Golesorkhi, a breast surgical oncologist with BayCare Medical Group. “Mrs. Green’s story is a powerful reminder that regular screenings are crucial for everyone, regardless of size or shape.”
Green isn’t alone. Misconceptions about mammograms keep many women from scheduling a screening. Here, Dr. Golesorkhi sets the record straight.
Myth 1: Mammograms are extremely painful
“It’s common to hear that mammograms are very painful,” said Dr. Golesorkhi. “Most patients experience only brief pressure or pinching as the breast is gently compressed. The sensation usually lasts only a few seconds, and our modern equipment plus trained technologists make the experience as comfortable and quick as possible.”
Myth 2: You don’t need a mammogram if you feel fine
Breast cancer often develops silently. Dr. Golesorkhi explains, “Mammograms can detect breast cancers at an early stage before they’re large enough to be felt, making treatment more effective, with more options and less invasive with improved survivor rate. Waiting for symptoms could mean missing the best window for successful intervention.”
Myth 3: Mammograms cause cancer
Some individuals worry about radiation exposure. “Modern mammograms use extremely low doses—much lower than what you get from natural background radiation or daily life,” said Dr. Golesorkhi. “The benefit of early detection far outweighs any minimal risk.”
Myth 4: Young women don’t need mammograms
Screening guidelines depend on age and risk factors. “While routine screenings usually start at [age] 40 for average risk women, some younger women with a family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations, or other risk factors may benefit from earlier screening,” noted Dr. Golesorkhi. “A personalized approach with your health care provider ensures you’re screened at the right time for your situation.”
Myth 5: Mammograms catch every cancer
No test is perfect. “Some cancers, especially in dense breast tissue, may be harder to detect,” said Dr. Golesorkhi. “That’s why it’s important to combine regular screenings with breast self-awareness and promptly report any changes.” Early detection is about layers of vigilance, not just a single test.
If you’re feeling nervous about your first—or next—screening, here are a few ways to make the experience easier:
Green credits her annual screening at the Susan Sheppard McGillicuddy Breast Center at St. Anthony’s Hospital with saving her life.
“It is so important to get your mammograms every year,” she said. “Even though cancer was found, it was caught early, it was noninvasive, and that was solely because of the mammogram. I had no lumps, nothing looked or felt abnormal—it was only the screening that revealed it.”
Her message is simple: Don’t let myths or assumptions stop you from protecting your health.
Schedule your mammogram today with BayCare’s experts and take an important step toward peace of mind: Health Breast Screening Practices
