Mammogram “hostesses” ease fears, anxiety

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- It's the year 2026, and most women know the importance of getting their annual mammogram. Still, about half of women say they are scared or anxious about going. Desert Imaging in El Paso has a unique approach to calming those fears. When women are called back to the exam room for the appointment, they're met by a mammogram hostess, who stays with them for the entire process.

Hostess Anissa Almanza walked me through what she does with each patient. From the moment they walk through the door, receive their gown to change in to, and wipes to remove any deodorant or lotions, through the process itself, and after they put their clothes back on. She says she spends a lot of time reassuring patients and comforting them.

"I just had one where she had a panic attack," Almanza says. Sometmes they're a little shaky.  I reassure them I tell them it's going to be fine and that relaxes them a little bit."

Mammo techs Carmen Marquez says thanks to the mammo hostesses, she's able to concentrate on the exam itself.

"It's made it so easy because the time that they're in the room they're aware of what's going to happen to them.  

Mammo hostesses are nothing new here at Desert Imaging - they've had them for 24 years! Employees say the process works. Marquez hopes this will encourage more women to come in for their annual exam, After all, early detection saves lives.

"We're Hispanic.  We're taught that its really bad for us to touch ourselves even for breast self examination or anyone else to touch you or do it," Marquez adds.

Data from health surveys shows that nearly half of women feel scared or have delayed routine mammograms due to anxiety and other deterrents. 

These two women know their work is making a difference.

"It's rewarding because ok I'm helping them.  That makes me feel good," Almanza says.

"It's very rewarding that we get patients that come in on a yearly basis because they found breast cancer.  They consider that we saved their life even though it's a team effort and they did what the doctor told them but it's very satisfying to see them year after year," Marquez adds.

For more information on the mammogram process and hostesses at Desert Imaging, click here: https://www.dielp.com/