Drew Barrymore's mammogram experience is a reminder that we're all in this together

Drew Barrymore has recently talked about Breast Cancer Awareness month and showed her support by getting a mammogram test. During Friday's episode of her The Drew Barrymore Show, the 48-year-old actress has documented the experience on her show to encourage other women to get regular screenings.

Drew shared her experience of mammography

“We all play a very negative mental tennis game in our head about our health", Barrymore said. "I don't know about you, but I self-diagnose all day long and the results are horrible. That's not the way I should be doing it." Her mammogram went smoothly and she urged viewers to get their own screenings. "If it hurts, just know it's only a few seconds and can save your life," she said.

“So I'm trying to take charge and figure this out and I want to take everyone on that journey with me because I’m totally imperfect,” Barrymore further shared. “I’m just another human walking around with fear of getting bad news. But I know facing it is everything.”

What did Dr. Gilberg-Lenz say?

Breast cancer survivor and OB/GYN Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz urged women to start getting annual mammograms at age 40. She cautions against skipping screenings, as the risk of breast cancer increases with age.

What is a mammogram test?

A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Doctors use a mammogram to look for early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms can find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. According to a few surveys, some experienced discomfort due to the compression that is applied to the breast. Most women, however, tolerate the exam quite well. How much pain you feel can vary based on the size of your breasts.

Barrymore further shared

“I’m gonna be 49, and having two kids has changed everything for me,” Drew lastly added. “It matters if I stick around, it matters what I do to myself. I’m way more accountable to myself than I ever have been.”