First Time Mammogram! - YouLookFab Forum

Hi Fabbers,

Amy K started a thread recently about having mammograms and this kind of follows on from that.

I had my first ever mammogram and ultrasound today. No WIW photos I'm afraid. The white gown with the ties at the front did nothing for my figure and just wasn't the right white

But seriously, I thought I would report back to say that:

1. It was not painful. A bit uncomfortable but only for a matter of seconds.

2. The staff were amazing (women) and so positive, providing explanations and good humour - it's kind of funny having someone "adjusting the position of your breasts".

3. The ultrasound was the easy part. No discomfort and a screen above so I could watch also.

It took an hour as there was a bit of a wait between each procedure and DH and Master 10 were in the hospital Atrium waiting for me when I finished.

Waiting for doctors report, but was advised all looked fine.

I had this done because a few weeks back I was experiencing pain in my left breast. My GP checked me and felt that I had strained muscle or tissue (or something) when I moved some furniture but as I had presented with pain and I am 48 it would be wise to have the mammogram.

I was a bit nervous and in truth probably a little scared but I'm glad I have done it and it will now become a regular thing every two years.

It's such an important screening to have and I just wanted to encourage anyone who is coming up to the age of regular breast screens that it really is no big deal and it's so worth doing. I had heard many stories of how painful it is but it honestly it wasn't.

Hope you don't mind me sharing.

xxxDeborah

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12 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

I'm glad everything's OK, Deborah!
Thanks for your report- there are too many stories saying how uncomfortable a mammogram is, and that hasn't been my experience, either, and it would be a shame if women were scared away from an important test by sensationalized stories.

carolbee

Love the cartoon, I think that pretty much sums up the experience!

LACeleste

Good for you for taking care of business!

Lisa

I've always heard they are painful so it's nice to hear a different experience. Thanks for sharing!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Love the cartoon. It's spot on.

Good job, Debs. I find mammograms uncomfortable - but it helps when the technician is skilled because they are fast and accurate. I am due to go again in Jan.

goldenpig

Funny cartoon! Thanks for sharing!
I just turned 40 and haven't had one yet, but my OB recommended that I wait until I'm done nursing because the mammograms are more difficult to interpret in lactating breasts. I'm going to ask around to the radiologists though, because it could be another year or two before I'm finished nursing and I'm not sure I should wait that long to get screened.

Side note, colonoscopies also are recommended for everyone (men and women) starting at age 50. If you have a first-degree relative with a history of colon polyps or colon cancer, you should start at age 40, or 10 years earlier than the relative's age at first diagnosis, whichever is earlier.

ClaraT

That cartoon is so funny. I had one years ago as a baseline and 5 years later (just a few months ago). I found it extremely uncomfortable/painful and seriously hope the technology improves in the next two years. Good for you for taking care of yourself!

RunswithDolphins

Active Member

Good advice. I now need to get them yearly and the technician at the clinic is so much fun we laugh and giggle all the way through it. When she sees me coming down the hall she rubs her hands together. Too funny!

deb

Good news for you.

MuseumGal

I am glad yours went well Deborah. However, I must say, I've had 3 now, and they have all been extremely painful - I think in my case becasue my breasts are so large and they really squeeze as tightly as they can to compress the tissue as much as possible. My first one was 10 years ago (I was only 35, I had a lump, but all was well), and they still used glass plates instead of doing it digitally. The technician got me all set up, me on tip toes, with my back controted, boob squeezed to death, and then said, "You know what, I think I need a bigger plate." And left me there like that while she went and found a bigger plate and switched out the equipment. Really lady, you couldn't figure out just by lookig at me that you're gonna need the biggest plate you have?!

Deborah

Natalie, my dad had bowel cancer so I have regular colonoscopies too. Of the two the breast scan by far is the easiest to deal with.

Angie, I have wondered if size has anything to do with the level of discomfort? But it sounds like maybe not.

MuseumGal, I am large busted (something I try to play down in my dressing) and the technician kindly told me that my breasts are very large considering my overal size ie. I am petite. It was quite funny. And then the positioning of the breast on the plate and her holding it there as the top plate came down, pulling her hand away just as the top plate came down with me holding the other breast out of the way. I can only image for someone watching it would have been a hysterical site. Sounds like you need a slightly more sensitive tech:)

And I got my results back today and all is normal

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