Mammogram

oz'smum · Apr 21, 2006

Because I've passed my 50th birthday I've been sent a routing appointment for a mammogram. I'm not in the least concerned about what they'll find, but, I've heard the scan itself can be very uncomfortable. Has anyone else had one? What can you tell me about it? I've a very small chest, which is also a concern, that how much squishing they'll do to get enough of me into the scanner.

lorie d. · Apr 21, 2006

I have never had any problems with pain or bruising when I've had a mammogram. A technician once told me that if a mammogram is done correctly it shouldn't feel like it's too tight or it's pinching, but that you will still feel some tightness and some pressing from the machine. They try to get as much compression as they can, but if it starts feeling too uncomfortable be sure to let the technician know.

And good luck! I hope they don't find anything!

laureen227 · Apr 21, 2006

Originally Posted by Oz'sMum

Because I've passed my 50th birthday I've been sent a routing appointment for a mammogram. I'm not in the least concerned about what they'll find, but, I've heard the scan itself can be very uncomfortable. Has anyone else had one? What can you tell me about it? I've a very small chest, which is also a concern, that how much squishing they'll do to get enough of me into the scanner.

i just had one, & while i'm far from small-breasted, this is the first one i've ever had that was really not bad. i think it just depends on the machine operator.

arlyn · Apr 21, 2006

Boy, you guys are lucky!

My girls felt like they were in a vice and like I was dangling by them

rosiemac · Apr 21, 2006

I had one a few years ago and all i could feel really was the machine pressing down hard where in thought " If this thing squashes my boob anymore it's going to burst

Good luck though and it's over before you know it!.

phenomsmom · Apr 21, 2006

I think you have more of a problem with the twins are watermelon sized!! A friend of mine just had one and she said she waited an extra 30 minutes becasue they lady in front of her had watermelons!! They had to take pics from all sorts of angles. Lots of squishing for her!

gardenandcats · Apr 21, 2006

I'm average sized and have been having one yearly since I was 42 my doc makes all women over 42 have one yearly. It never hurts me at all. The larger they are the more they have to squash Denser tissue they have to flatten it out to get a good image.The techs are always very nice and its over in a few minutes.

MoochNNoodles · Apr 21, 2006

*sitting with arms crossed across chest*

Yet another way to torture women....

kittylover4ever · Apr 21, 2006

I had one two years ago, (due for another) and it wasn't bad at all! Just try to relax!

jeanor · Apr 21, 2006

I had one last year, it was my first.

It hurt more than I expected. For me it was the area above and below that hurt. I'm also small breasted, so it felt like the skin was pulling from everywhere.

My friend is very large breasted and much whimpier than I am when it comes to pain tolerance and she didn't think it was a big deal at all.

That being said... it didn't last long and I survived. Relaxing is probably the best advice.

gailc · Apr 21, 2006

I have been dreading having one but I too heard it depends on the technican and the size of the boobs!!

blueyes · Apr 21, 2006

I have small ones and had it done a few months ago. It was an uncomfortable feeling but it compresses, takes the pic and releases automatically. they pressed each one horizontally and then vertically. boy did they ever have a hard time getting ANYTHING under there!

beckiboo · Apr 21, 2006

I've had it done twice. It wasn't as bad as I have heard. As others posted, they just squish your breast as flat as they can...but they do ask if you can tolerate it. If it is too bad, say so.

This year I did get some pulling of the muscle above the breast by the shoulder...and it kind of hurt...but it is all over so quick. About as enjoyable as a pap smear! LOL! Just get it over with, and then you will be done until next year!

deb25 · Apr 21, 2006

I am surprised your doctor waited until 50. I have been going since 40. I just had one last week, and the tech asked me to let her squish as much as I could tolerate. The flatter they can get, the better scan they get.

abbycats · Apr 21, 2006

I am 46 and haven't gone in for mine yet. The doctor gave me a slip to go to the hospital to get one. I have mixed feelings on those. I know they can detect early cancer, but I don't like the idea of radiation on my breasts. I do routine breast checks for tumors. I know I need to go and get my first one done and over with.

gardenandcats · Apr 21, 2006

All Women should have their first one done at the age of 40. Unless you have a family history of breast cancer then it should be done much earlier. The reason for it being done at 40 so my doc said is they use this as a a baseline mamogram to compare it with ones done later on in life.This way they have one done to compare it with ones that you have as you get older and they can notice any changes denser areas ect.

wellingtoncats · Apr 21, 2006

OOoh I'm dreading it!

halfpint · Apr 21, 2006

I have had about at least 10 of them , I never thought that they hurt but I'm only 4'11" so I alway's felt like I needed to stand on my tippy toes, and I weigh 104 lbs so that tells you the boobs aren't huge or anything

I felt like they didn't have it low enough

I have had a few lumps then it hurts a tad

oz'smum · Apr 22, 2006

Originally Posted by Deb25

I am surprised your doctor waited until 50. I have been going since 40. I just had one last week, and the tech asked me to let her squish as much as I could tolerate. The flatter they can get, the better scan they get.

It's the way it is in the UK, we get them free from 50 till 70. I haven't been near the doctos for years (thankfully) so my name must have popped up on a coputer somewhere.

Thanks for all the feedback, it won't be nice, but it's one of those things we women must go through. It's not quite so intimate as the smear we're put through. So I'll probably make quips like I usually do when I'm nervous. It's only a couple of weeks away, so not too long to wait.

pat · Apr 22, 2006

Originally Posted by Deb25

I am surprised your doctor waited until 50. I have been going since 40. I just had one last week, and the tech asked me to let her squish as much as I could tolerate. The flatter they can get, the better scan they get.

Exactly the same for me, first at 40 as a baseline, and had one last week..just got my results.

Mammogram

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