Mammograms (Full Version)

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flowerz -> Mammograms (4/17/2008 12:50:50 PM)

I just made an appointment for my very first mammogram. I won't be going until June, but I'm just wondering what to expect?

How much does it hurt?
Does it hurt more or less depending on your breast size?
Do you have to remove all your clothes?
How long does it take?
How old were you when you had your first one?



Memaw. -> RE: Mammograms (4/17/2008 1:25:46 PM)

quote:

How much does it hurt?
Does it hurt more or less depending on your breast size?
Do you have to remove all your clothes?
How long does it take?
How old were you when you had your first one?


The only time it has ever hurt was when I already had pain in them.
I don't know if it is worse for smaller breasted women than for larger, I am a 44DD.
You remove only your shirt and bra, and they give a paper "vest" which only gets in the way so I don't even use it.
It only took about 20 minutes or so, from set up to finish.
They took two images of each breast, one from top to bottom and one from side to side.
I was 30 with my first one, I had an unexplained bruise and so that made it pretty uncomfortable.

It could be longer for you than it is for me, depending on the reason you are getting one. Is it just a baseline mammo or is there a problem?



agapetos -> RE: Mammograms (4/18/2008 8:38:22 AM)

quote:

You remove only your shirt and bra, and they give a paper "vest" which only gets in the way so I don't even use it.
I've never been offered one of those ~ but I imagine they would get in the way! Do wear tops and bottoms though (ie not a dress).

I was 39 or 40 when I had my first (and to date) only mammogram. I found a lump (which was nothing) and was packed off for one by my doctor. Can't remember how long it took.

The number of images they take varies ~ women with large breasts may need a couple of more, to ensure that the whole breast is covered.

From what I understand, the younger you are (and so the firmer the breast tissue) the more uncomfortable it may be. It is uncomfortable though and not painful. On the whole, the person who takes the images (there was only 1 person in the room with me when I had mine done) is pretty kind and reassuring about the whole process.

Can't remember how long it took.



Memaw. -> RE: Mammograms (4/18/2008 10:19:38 AM)

I do remember on the first one ( I have had approx. 5 or 6) looking at my breast under the "squisher" and thinking "wow, it looks like a pancake".[&:]

They get it that flat.

My poor boobs have never been the same.[:(]

[:D]



flowerz -> RE: Mammograms (4/18/2008 11:43:47 AM)

quote:

Is it just a baseline mammo or is there a problem?


No problem, just thought I'd get my first one done since I'm 41 and my doctor mentioned it.

quote:

"wow, it looks like a pancake".


That sounds painful. [:D] or should it be [:o]



Memaw. -> RE: Mammograms (4/18/2008 4:39:33 PM)

Wasn't exactly painful...
Uncomfortable, yes.



wareaglekd -> RE: Mammograms (4/21/2008 9:43:30 AM)

I can tell from both sizes. I had a breast reduction almost 3 years ago. It is less comfortable now than it was before. It's probably due to the fact it takes less work to get all of the breast on the glass. I don't seem to need as many slides as before because of less tissue to deal w/. My draw back is being short. They seem to set up the machine for women at least 5'6" & I'm 5'4", so it's uncomfortable for stretching. Also, holding your position w/ you head can sometimes leave a crick in your neck for a while!

Honestly, for me I could have a mammogram any day & skip the pap! kd



wareaglekd -> RE: Mammograms (4/21/2008 9:44:35 AM)

I said that wrong. It is more comfortable now than when I was 44DDD. kd



flowerz -> RE: Mammograms (4/21/2008 11:50:24 AM)

Thanks everyone. Hey, I'm short too.



Memaw. -> RE: Mammograms (4/22/2008 9:04:23 AM)

I'm 5'4" too.
The machines I have seen raise and lower to suit your height.

HERE is a photo of a woman having a mammogram so you can see what the machine looks like.



manda59 -> RE: Mammograms (5/16/2008 9:34:54 AM)

Yikes - I shivered when I saw that pic, Memaw, because I remembered (and actually "felt") how cold that metal plate is, lol.



Memaw. -> RE: Mammograms (5/16/2008 11:01:47 AM)

LOL Manda



agapetos -> RE: Mammograms (5/16/2008 5:50:54 PM)

The only thing I remember is how big the room was[:D]



Julie1955 -> RE: Mammograms (5/18/2008 9:24:42 PM)

Crikey, all of mine hurt like anything. I had a baseline last August (I know, at my age -- 52 at the time -- I should be scolded big time). They found a 1.1 cm nodule (tumor, cyst & lump were not even used). I had to go back for another mammo followed by a sonogram which confirmed the first diagnosis. My doc referred me to a breast surgeon who arranged for a breast biopsy -- diagnosis was fibroadenoma. I am a 44DD and have always been big-breasted, the only one in the family this size! The techs who did the mammos might be very experienced, but the procedures were very painful for me. Well, I had to have the biopsy which showed it was fatty tissue, but having another mammo is not something I care to have again, even though I know I have to on a regular basis.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!



wareaglekd -> RE: Mammograms (5/20/2008 4:31:20 PM)

What helps in my experience is that the tech is so nice. We talk about our kids & such. Makes the experience better. The only thing now - I'm so embarrassed that I still can't figure out how to put the drape on right. She always has to help me! By the way, the room I go to is very, very, small & the dressing room is like a closet! kd



Calea37 -> RE: Mammograms (5/21/2008 2:19:26 PM)

I've never had one and really don't plan to. My breasts are so small they probably wouldn't even be able to do it. LOL



agapetos -> RE: Mammograms (5/21/2008 7:11:08 PM)

quote:

really don't plan to
I can understand the sentiment, but that's really not adviseable.

quote:

My breasts are so small they probably wouldn't even be able to do it.
You know that men can get breast cancer too? I have no idea whether a man can have a mammogram or not, but if he can't then the chances are that he'll have an ultrasound ~ and I suspect that if your breasts were too small for a mammogram, you'd have one too.

I may sound unsympathetic, but really, there is no excuse not to ~ and if you find a lump then you're going to need some kind of exam to determine what it is.



manda59 -> RE: Mammograms (5/21/2008 7:53:02 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Calea37
I've never had one and really don't plan to.



I don't get this. To have a mammogram could mean the difference between early diagnosis of cancer, and not finding out till it's too late.

To me, the little temporary discomfort is definitely well worthwhile.



Calea37 -> RE: Mammograms (5/22/2008 5:24:38 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: agapetos

quote:

really don't plan to
I can understand the sentiment, but that's really not adviseable.

quote:

My breasts are so small they probably wouldn't even be able to do it.
You know that men can get breast cancer too? I have no idea whether a man can have a mammogram or not, but if he can't then the chances are that he'll have an ultrasound ~ and I suspect that if your breasts were too small for a mammogram, you'd have one too.

I may sound unsympathetic, but really, there is no excuse not to ~ and if you find a lump then you're going to need some kind of exam to determine what it is.


I was being a little sarcastic; I actually think my breasts could have one...(a whopping size A[;)]).

Doctors are mammogram happy and test happy in general, imo. I used to go for a pap faithfully every year and often it would come back with abnormal cells... Oh no, I'm going to die... come back in three months for another. I would come back in three...ok, it's ok now....[&:] I guess I'm just tired of the scare tactics...sitting around for three months wondering what the heck. No good reason of why they were abnormal, just the worry.

I pride myself on a high pain tolerance; it has nothing to do with the "discomfort"...Maybe someday I'll change my mind, but I doubt it.



manda59 -> RE: Mammograms (5/22/2008 7:24:53 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Calea37
Doctors are mammogram happy and test happy in general, imo. I used to go for a pap faithfully every year and often it would come back with abnormal cells... Oh no, I'm going to die... come back in three months for another. I would come back in three...ok, it's ok now....[&:] I guess I'm just tired of the scare tactics...sitting around for three months wondering what the heck. No good reason of why they were abnormal, just the worry.

I pride myself on a high pain tolerance; it has nothing to do with the "discomfort"...Maybe someday I'll change my mind, but I doubt it.



So you're rejecting mammograms just because of your experiences with (pap) smears?

I personally don't understand what you mean by mammogram happy and test happy (presuming you mean because of the money or something). I live in the UK and we get free mammograms and smear, so there is no financial incentive, other than what the government pay the doctors for doing it (which isn't a lot).

It's relatively easy for a smear to throw up results that appear abnormal - but hey, I'd rather they found some which they thought were abnormal and turned out not to be, rather than not go and not have any abnormal cells (which did turn out to be abnormal) which weren't detected.

I've never heard of anyone having "fake" results from a mammogram. If they find anything that doesn't look right, or isn't clear, in a mammogram, you then get an ultrasound which gives a much clearer picture.

I can understand your feelings over smears (I am myself overdue for one at the moment), but not over mammograms. Especially, since when we have a family, it's not just about us, it's about those who depend on us.



agapetos -> RE: Mammograms (5/22/2008 11:04:44 AM)

quote:

I personally don't understand what you mean by mammogram happy and test happy (presuming you mean because of the money or something). I live in the UK and we get free mammograms and smear, so there is no financial incentive, other than what the government pay the doctors for doing it (which isn't a lot).
In some ways I can understand about the smear test, given in the US they seem to have yearly ones. Don't know how the mammograms differ (I don't need yearly ones yet, I had mine because I found a lump).

I'm due a smear test next year (haven't a clue when the last one was but it's on my medical records and I'll be written to automatically (only reason I know it's due next year is that my doctor mentioned it to me recently when we were discussing other tests).



flowerz -> RE: Mammograms (5/22/2008 1:24:37 PM)

Calea37,

I'm small too, I'll let you know if they can do it. [:D] I read somewhere that you should have your first mammogram well before menopause, to give the doctors an idea of what normal is for you, or something like that.

I understand about the pap test scares, I went through that, worrying about dying and all that. It wasn't fun. I have to wait 8-10 weeks just to get results. I still go every year but I'm more relaxed about it. I have a different doctor now and I don't know if she even tells me about slightly abnormal results.



flowerz -> RE: Mammograms (6/9/2008 3:53:54 PM)

Today's my appointment. [:o]



Brandy -> RE: Mammograms (6/9/2008 4:25:30 PM)

Happy Squishes!!!

I had my first at 18. That was fun. But the u/s that followed cleared up the concern and in the long run I'm glad to have had it done.

I will faithfully get them when I'm older, but will probably get them sooner that most. My maternal grandmother just started medication to help reduce 3 golf ball sized tumors in her right breast that are in her lymph nodes. Not good. I now have breast cancer on both sides of my family. Yay.

But I cannot fathom not having a mammo done simply due to discomfort. If you have a significant other or child/children you owe it to them to use pro-active measures to keep yourself in health.



flowerz -> RE: Mammograms (6/10/2008 1:20:42 PM)

I survived! But it not on my list of favorite activities! lol



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