Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 7, 1994                   TAG: 9404070217
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-23   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MAMMOGRAM NOT AS BAD AS FEARED

I am writing to thank and commend the staff at Crystal Springs Imaging. I recently had my first mammogram there and feel compelled to share my experience with other women.

I had put this appointment off several times because I had heard all of the horror stories a woman hears concerning the process of having a mammogram. My experience was nothing like the stories.

I was treated kindly and courteously. The procedure was explained to me very simply and within a matter of minutes it was finished. I was not embarrassed, the equipment was not cold, and there was no excruciating pain as I had been told by many. I will attest to a "slight" discomfort that lasted no more that a few seconds but it was no where near the "excruciating pain" I had been told about.

It was not the experience I was expecting, and I am thankful I finally went ahead in spite of what I had heard.

I am sure each woman is different, however, what may be a painful experience for one woman may not be the same for another one, as I found out. However, it is certainly worth the few minutes it takes for a procedure that could save a life. I hope now that some other woman who may be putting off having a mammogram because of fear will learn from my experience.\ Sincerely\ Sherry L. Hinson