Fear, pain, and cost: Why women avoid mammograms

SHAH ALAM - Many women, especially those aged 40 and above, are avoiding mammograms due to various reasons.

Cancer Survivors Malaysia (CSM) Chairperson Zuraini Kamal said that a mammogram is a primary screening method to detect abnormalities such as lumps or pain around the breasts, which may indicate a risk of breast cancer.

Zuraini, who battled cancer in 2012 and is now cancer-free, stated that many women avoid the screening for various reasons.

"When CSM conducts programmes in villages, it’s common to find that most attendees have never had a mammogram.

"They often express reluctance, citing multiple excuses.

"First, there’s fear—fear of discovering cancer, fear of the pain. Second, it’s the difficulty of getting to the hospital. Lastly, when we’re healthy, we don’t think about screening. People tend to wait until they’re sick before seeking treatment," she said.

Zuraini also highlighted the lack of knowledge about early screening and treatment, coupled with low awareness of the importance of regular health checks, particularly among women.

"Many don’t understand that cancer, if detected early, is easier to treat. Screening can save lives.

"Early detection leads to immediate treatment, but this knowledge is still lacking, meaning awareness remains low," she added.

In a related matter, Sugai Petani Pantai Hospital's General, Breast, and Endocrine surgeon, Dr Norhashimah Khadir supported Zuraini’s concerns, explaining that several factors contribute to women avoiding mammograms.

"Some women find the procedure painful because, during the mammogram, the breast is placed between two plates, causing temporary discomfort.

"However, the pain subsides quickly and doesn’t require medication," she said.

Dr Norhashimah also addressed the fear of radiation exposure, clarifying that the radiation level in a mammogram is minimal and comparable to a chest X-ray, making it safe.

She added that many women believe they don’t need early detection screening if they don’t feel lumps or have symptoms, which is a misconception.

Another concern among women is the perceived high cost of mammograms, which often leads them to deem the test unnecessary.

"Many worry about the cost, but mammograms are actually available for free at health clinics and National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) clinics.

"They just need to register at designated centres for the examination," Dr Norhashimah pointed out.

On the accuracy of mammograms, she said that the sensitivity and effectiveness of the test increase with age, especially in older women.

"For women under 40, the sensitivity of mammograms in detecting cancer is less than 50 per cent due to the high density of breast tissue. Therefore, women below 40 should undergo alternative tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, for more accurate results.

"For women aged 60 and above, the accuracy and sensitivity of mammogram screening rise to 85-90 per cent, making it a highly effective method of detecting breast cancer," she added.

Dr Norhashimah stressed the importance of mammograms for early cancer detection, even when there are no visible symptoms or lumps.

"Mammograms are an essential tool for detecting breast cancer early, even when there are no noticeable signs," she said.