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Original poster

Just had my first ever mammogram and it was not at all bad

40 replies

Stevienickssleeves · 11/10/2019 10:59

I was nervous. It was actually easier than i thought and less scary than it looks on telly. They lowered the lights, which made me feel less self conscious, and it didn't hurt or pinch whatsoever, just a bit of squeezing pressure no worse than if you laid on your front. The "plates" they put your boob between were perspex, not cold steel as i had somehow envisioned.

Hope this gives some comfort to anyone nervously anticipating theirs!

OP posts:
BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 11/10/2019 12:12

Another one here who didn't find a mammogram painful. Barely unomfortable really. Was pleasantly surprised. The worst bit was having my boobs on full display in front of a stranger! The nurse/technicians have always been lovely too.

foxyknoxy30 · 11/10/2019 12:16

They honestly don't bother me same with smears but getting blood taken terrifies me 😟

MrsT1405 · 11/10/2019 12:18

I agree it's vaguely unpleasant, but not all that nasty. The worst bit is the small young boy who pushes the girls around. Im 6 ft and he only comes up to my shoulder. It's a bit more free flow here in Spain.

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Women's health
ZombieNut · 11/10/2019 12:27

Thank you for this thread OP. I'm waiting to go for my first mammogram in an hour and was so nervous it was going to be painful. Thank you for explaining the process from the patient's point of view.

CactusAndCacti · 11/10/2019 12:31

A little uncomfortable agreed, I do have big boobs though. I have mine yearly at present, my 2nd is in a couple of weeks.

ohdearmymistake · 11/10/2019 12:56

I have to agree , I had my first one this year, it wasn't bad slightly uncomfortable no worst than lying on the blighters.
The lady was very nice and efficient which meant that it was over and done with very quickly.

Duckegg271 · 11/10/2019 13:07

What happens if you’re very flat chested? I’m a good few years off being called but I’ve often wondered.

Original poster
Stevienickssleeves · 11/10/2019 13:20

It did help that the radiographer was lovely and made it seem perfectly casual that i was half undressed.

I suppose it might be easier with small boobs. I had to hold one of mine out of the way so as not to eclipse the image Grin

OP posts:
ChestOfFields · 11/10/2019 15:01

I had one a couple of years ago, then another a few weeks ago.

Big boobs but no pain or discomfort at all!
That's because I'm now 52 and not as much firm tissue there as there was!

ZombieNut · 11/10/2019 15:12

Just back from my appointment and it was so much better than I had feared. No discomfort, other than immediately wanting to cough when I had to hold my breath!

I was in and out within 15 minutes. Now there's just the two week wait for results.

BooseysMom · 11/10/2019 15:15

I have yet to have one. What age do you start having them? My DM had breast cancer at 60. She never went to any mammograms and the lump was the size of a golf ball when they found it Shock

HoldMyLobster · 11/10/2019 15:16

I'm 50, quite big boobs which are very firm. Mammograms are vaguely uncomfortable but not painful. I think the last one I had was a 3D mammogram which is a fairly new tech here (US) but the experience was identical to a regular mammogram.

megletthesecond · 11/10/2019 15:18

duck I wonder this too. I don't have that much to grab Confused. I guess it scans what it can.

Samcro · 11/10/2019 15:21

i can't say I love having it done. but its fine and only mildly uncomfortable . its done in a nice set up and no men or children are allowed in the "office" so it has a nice relaxed atmosphere.

milveycrohn · 11/10/2019 15:25

I am very glad that your mammogram was not painful.
In my case, I was not so lucky. It was so painful, I almost fainted, and I was so shocked, I could not cry out. I ended up in tears though.
So maybe it depends on the person involved, the size of your breasts, or all manner of things.

dottycat123 · 11/10/2019 15:38

I had my first about 4 weeks ago. It was more painful than anticipated but brief pain. I did have bruises a few days later above my breasts.

AuntieMarys · 11/10/2019 15:40

I've had 3...Never bothered me. I have 34 G boobs if that makes any difference.

ItsJustTheOneSwanActually · 11/10/2019 15:42

I'm full of cysts and it's very painful. I avoid the week before a period and take ibuprofen before I go.

PuppyMonkey · 11/10/2019 15:44

Sorry to PP who found it painful. Flowers I have annual mammograms due to family history so an on my fifth or sixth now and tbh I think on balance going for an annual dental check up is a far worse experience. Im small boobed so no idea what it would be like for the large of nork.

Greenglassteacup · 11/10/2019 15:48

I have such small boobs that I’m not sure they’d be able to do the mammogram Sad

missyB1 · 11/10/2019 15:55

I have always been a 32b so fairly small. My first mammogram was completely pain free and not even uncomfortable, it was in a private hospital don’t know if that should make any difference though. My subsequent yearly mammograms on the NHS are uncomfortable but bearable. I only have one boob now though!

Ahundredpercentthatbitch · 11/10/2019 16:00

Weird timing of this thread. I had my first ever mammogram yesterday. Had no idea what to expect but it was totally fine. Not painful at all, just a sort of flat, squeezing pressure. My radiographer was lovely too. Made me feel so comfortable.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 11/10/2019 16:12

I find it very very painful. It wouldn’t stop me having it done though. Someone I know was recently diagnosed with fairly advanced cancer after a mammogram. She hadn’t noticed anything untoward herself. Fortunately she looks to be making a full recovery.

Livebythecoast · 11/10/2019 16:17

@BooseysMom - from age 50 yrs and then every 3 years. However, if you have a family history of breast cancer you can ask your GP to refer you earlier.

I'm glad it went okay for you OP

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 11/10/2019 16:18

I am not blessed with much in the bosom department...but it was not painful. Awkward, maybe, but I could see that if the height of the machine wasn't right then that certainly wouldn't help. ...so it probably depends on the patience of the technician/nurse

The letter made me laugh though, declaring my breasts were satisfactory. I waved it at dh in triumph...NHS approved boobs! :o