A Personal Message About Mammograms

From Nurse Kathleen, Health Educator at Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group

Hi friends,

I’m Nurse Kathleen, the Health Educator here at Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group. I’ve been an RN since 1989 — that’s over 30 years in nursing! One of the greatest blessings of my career has been witnessing just how much the medical world has grown, evolved, and improved.

And today, I want to talk about one change that truly stands out to me: mammograms.

Let’s be honest — mammograms used to be something many of us dreaded. I still remember those early days. The cold exam rooms. The hard compression plates that felt more like a medieval device than medical equipment. Standing there, holding my breath, trying not to move, sometimes with tears in my eyes because it hurt so much.

There were even years when I avoided scheduling my own exam. And I’m a nurse! But who would be in a hurry to sign up for that experience again?

Here’s what I want you to know:

It’s not like that anymore.

Mammography technology has come such a long way. Today’s equipment is designed with patient comfort in mind. Appointments are quick — often about 20 minutes — and the imaging is more accurate than ever before.

That short visit could truly save your life.

Why Mammograms Matter So Much

Even if you feel perfectly fine, regular mammograms are one of the most important things you can do for your health:

• Breast cancer and abnormalities can’t always be felt.

• When caught early, breast cancer has a 99% survival rate. That is powerful, hopeful news for women everywhere.

• Having regular mammograms gives your healthcare provider something to compare over time, allowing for more personalized care and early detection of any changes.

At Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group, one of our highest priorities is supporting our members with preventive and wellness care resources. Prevention isn’t just a recommendation — it’s an act of self-respect and self-care.

So ladies, I encourage you to call your Doctor and schedule your mammogram today.

Let’s make 2026 the year we commit to taking really good care of ourselves — not out of fear, but out of love for our future.

With care,
Nurse Kathleen