Turn your mammogram appointment into a day of fun
When you think of getting your annual mammogram, you may not think of it as a day of entertainment or relaxation. But what if it was? The 3D mammograms given at the CMC Imaging Center and on the CMC Mobile Mammography Center only take 15 to 30 minutes, leaving you with plenty of time to use the rest of your day to treat yourself or have a fun-filled day with friends.
This critical screening is sometimes met with hesitation, especially for those getting it for the first time. In an effort to see your mammogram in a new light, Conway Medical Center has put together 5 ways that you can make this vital activity less daunting and a lot more enjoyable.
5 ideas to make a day out of getting your mammogram
1. Retail Therapy
Make this day all about rewarding yourself with a little retail therapy. Check out your favorite boutiques to refresh your wardrobe or stop by a local nursery to stock up on your favorite seasonal plants. If you are getting your mammogram during breast cancer awareness month, now is the perfect time to start on your holiday shopping list! You put your body first so treat yourself to something you can enjoy.
During October, check out the Tanger Outlets for your shopping excursion. Both Myrtle Beach locations are participating in the Tanger Pink program which will give you an extra 15% off all month long. Best of all, proceeds from this program go toward the CMC Mammography Initiative, benefiting local women in need of mammograms and other breast cancer services. Find out more here or visit Customer Service at Tanger Outlets.
2. Inhale and Exhale
As a woman, you are constantly on the go and putting everything and everyone else first. So why not take time for yourself on your mammogram day? Find your center with a morning yoga class and then stop by the CMC Imaging Center for your mammogram. After your screening why not schedule a much-needed massage, facial, or pedicure? Wrap up your day and elevate your state of Zen with a long walk on the beach or through the oak-lined pathways of Brookgreen Gardens. Find a quiet place to read a book or write in your journal. Make this a refreshing day centered around your mind, body, and spirit.
3. From Pink to Green
For the avid golfer we suggest gathering 3 of your favorite golfing ladies, and swinging by to get your annual mammograms together. Make sure you have your golf clubs in the car so when your foursome is finished with your mammograms, you can hit your favorite golf course for a hole-in-one of a day.
We always have fun at the Founders Group International courses and during the month of October, their Pro Shops are selling Breast Cancer Awareness tumblers to raise funds for the CMC Foundation. The proceeds help provide free mammograms and other breast cancer-related services to local women in need. So, even if your golf game isn’t on par that day, you can still get an ace by purchasing a tumbler.
4. Be a “tourist” for a day
Seek out the fun where you live but first seek out the CMC Mobile Mammography Center as it makes its way across Horry County. Hop on and get your mammogram and then see the sites of the surrounding area.
If your day takes you to Myrtle Beach, take a spin on the Sky Wheel and play some mini golf. Ready for some lunch? Our friends at RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar have the best views of the beach. They’re serving up the freshest seafood and local fare while you enjoy the cool ocean breezes and the sound of the waves.
When you’re done satisfying your cravings, take an afternoon stroll around Broadway at the Beach and check out the underwater experience at Ripley’s Aquarium. Cap off your day with one of the many live shows at theaters across the Grand Strand.
5. Mammograms with Friends
Just ask our friends, the Ya Yas, and they’ll tell you that mammograms are way more fun with friends! Grab your bestie or a group of your co-workers and schedule your mammograms together. The support, love, and laughs will make the screening process more enjoyable.
When you’re finished grab lunch and drinks at your favorite restaurant. During October, we’d like to suggest one of the restaurants participating in Drink Pink for Mammograms. They are offering up a variety of spirits (non-alcoholic options available) for which proceeds benefit the CMC Mammography Initiative. Both Quigley’s locations on the south end of the Grand Strand as well as 4 Points by Sheraton – Brine Bar, Lulu’s Café, and RipTydz in Myrtle Beach are participating with a delicious selection of spirits.
If you’d rather nosh in downtown Conway, Crafty Rooster, Coastal Ale House, Chanti’s Pizza, Bonfire, Rivertown Bistro, and Rustic Roast are offering up Pink Drinks and yummy food that you and your girls will love. We suggest taking a stroll on the Riverwalk and stopping by City Hall to see the flying witches’ hats and other Halloween decorations for some festive photo opportunities with your friends.
Think outside the box
Listen, we get it! Your annual mammogram can be stressful and just one more thing on your growing to-do list, but you can make it better by planning beyond the mammogram. What are the things you love to do, that take you to your happy place? Plan your mammogram day around those things or take a tip from some of the suggestions above. Turn your mammogram day into a tradition that you’ll have no problem wanting to replicate year after year. But most importantly, get your mammogram- it could save your life.
Get your mammogram at Conway Medical Center
At Conway Medical Center, breast cancer screening exams are performed by a team of experts, including radiologists whose sole focus is interpreting the results of breast cancer imaging tests. We offer breast cancer screening services, including 3D mammography, at our Imaging Center in Conway and throughout Horry County on the CMC Mobile Mammography Center.
We want all women to benefit from the most sophisticated breast care available. That is why CMC is one of the first hospitals in the region to offer screening 3-D mammograms without a physician’s order at our imaging center or on our CMC Mobile Mammography Center. Financial assistance is also available through the CMC Foundation for those who qualify. Simply call 843-234-5474 to schedule your appointment today.
