Midnight Mammo

By Amy Chen

Pampering at the spa or a mammogram? Women attending "Midnight Mammo, Manicure, & Massage" had a chance to have both on the same evening when the UCLA Iris Cantor Breast Imaging Center was transformed into a mini-spa for the occasion.

Women nibbled on hors d'oeuvres, had their nails done with "Breast Cancer Pink" polish, received massages and skin-care advice — followed by mammograms from female technicians with UCLA's Department of Radiological Sciences, which hosted the event Jan. 23 from 7 p.m. until midnight.

Nanette De Bruhl, associate clinical professor and radiologist specializing in breast imaging, mingled and answered questions about mammograms while skin-care experts and a massage therapist volunteered massages and beauty advice.

While the mood was lighthearted, the impetus for the event was something much more serious. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Regular mammogram screenings can detect tumors at an early stage, when treatments are less aggressive and more effective, but only about 66% of women follow the American Cancer Society's recommendation to receive an annual mammogram if they are over age 40.

"Midnight Mammo" was designed to help women fit annual mammograms into their hectic work schedules and ease their anxieties in a relaxing environment. "We want to offer women a fun, healthy way to start off the New Year by combining self-care with socializing in a spa environment," said liaison for the radiological sciences department Ric McGill.

Breena Yeh not only showed up, but brought along a crowd — fellow members of her mommy-and-me Yahoo group, the Peachhead Families.

Among them was a woman who got her first mammogram after her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, but hadn't had a screening for several years. The opportunity to get a mammogram and have a night out with girlfriends was just "perfect," she said.

Radiologists hope to offer more such events soon with the location alternating between the UCLA Medical Center and Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center. The cost of the mammogram is covered by most insurance companies for women over 40 whose last screening was more than a year ago.

For women under 40 or with a family history of breast cancer, fees are generally covered with a doctor's referral. The cash price of the screening is $150 for women without health insurance, reduced from the regular fee of $280.

For more information, call (310) 319-4624.