Mammography Technicians Ease Fears
By BETHANY A. ROMANEK Staff Writer
POSTED: October 7, 2007
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A staff technologist in the radiology department at East Ohio Regional Hospital, Kwiatkowski has been certified in X-ray registry since 1989, and in mammography since 1992.
She received her education from Ohio Valley Medical Center and performs about 400 mammograms a year.
As part of EORH’s mammogram staff of four, Kwiatkowski said there are more than 40 years of experience among them. While many women fear the procedure, technicians like Kwiatkowski are trained to perform the breast exams as efficiently and effectively as possible.
With years of experience under her belt, Kwiatkowski said she has learned to read both women and men who come to the hospital.
From her keen perception she has helped hundreds of patients successfully complete the important exam.
“Talking a lot makes patients comfortable,” Kwiatkowski said.
“I try to read what kind of personality they have and get them talking about their families, kids, job — distract them. I tell them I have had one (mammogram) myself and it’s not bad and not to listen to all of the horror stories. Every experience is different and no one can tell you how you’re going to feel. You have to come in and experience it yourself.”
Since beginning her career in the radiology department, Kwiatkowski said she has noticed an increase in women who come in annually for a mammogram.
“I think women are much more educated, open and informed now due to the media and TV,” she said.
“There are a few people out there who ignore lumps and come to us with something advanced.”
Kwiatkowski advises that women need to be conducting self-breast exams monthly in addition to their yearly gynecologist exams and annual physical with a physician.
“One you start having mammograms keep having them,” Kwiatkowski said. “A big misconception is you’re going to feel something or your doctor will feel it in an office. We are looking for just a sudden change.”
In addition to reading patients’ personalities, Kwiatkowski said trust also goes hand in hand with mammograms.
“If they trust you are not going to hurt them — once they trust you — you talk to them and they relax and the experience is even better,” Kwiatkowski said.
“Experience speaks volumes and you’re comfortable in what you are doing. I can’t comfort someone else If I am not comfortable.”
While Kwiatkowski has worked in every department in radiology she said mammography is her most favorite.
“It’s nice when you are able to come back and tell the patient it’s OK,” she said.
“I have had women weeping, crying and hugging because they were so nervous. You never think about breast cancer until you have a mammogram, and then there are those little thoughts in your head.”
