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Original poster

First mammogram tomorrow

67 replies

Thecrisplover · 08/08/2021 15:36

Any top tips?

OP posts:

DramaAlpaca · 08/08/2021 15:45

Wear separates rather than a dress. Don't put underarm antiperspirant on until afterwards.

As for the scan itself, just follow the instructions you are given, really.

You'll be asked to undress your top half in a cubicle and given a gown. You'll be called in to the screening room and the nurse will position you in front of the machine. Each breast is done separately.

Expect a bit of pulling and pushing of your breast to get it in the right position. Your breast has to be squashed as flat as possible between two plates. You'll be asked to hold your position while the nurse takes an image. They usually do two different positions for each breast. If you move or the image isn't clear they'll do it again.

It can be quite uncomfortable, but only for a few seconds.

Original poster

Thecrisplover · 08/08/2021 15:53

Thanks @DramaAlpaca

OP posts:

Galassia · 08/08/2021 15:59

I’ve only been once and never will again as it hurt like hell!

I have a high pain threshold and was surprised at how much it hurt.

Not trying to put you off but thought I would mention it as it was a complete surprise to me.

I think it hurt as I don’t have very big boobs only a c cup and she had to try and get enough to place in the vices! Ok they aren’t vices but that’s what they felt like!

nettytree · 08/08/2021 16:09

I've got my first one tomorrow too. Bit of a surprise to get the letter as I'm 49. Thought they weren't done until you were 50.

Bluntness100 · 08/08/2021 16:12

I had my first one earlier this year it was fine

There wasn’t a seperate room as it was a mobile unit, I went into the room with the equipment with the nurse, she explained what would happen, intook my top and bra off, she basically then stood behind me , told me how to stand, where to put by breast, and then very manner of factly manipulated into position, small amount of pain/discomfort but totally fine. Surprisingly so.

Galassia · 08/08/2021 16:13

Mine was around 8 years ago and I was under 50.

Tigresswoods · 08/08/2021 16:13

I went a few months ago & it certainly didn't hurt!

BitterAndOnlySlightlyTwisted · 08/08/2021 16:13

Same experience as Galassia except I’m barely an a-cup. Trying to get enough tissue between the plates was rather uncomfortable but it hadn’t put me off returning

KittenKong · 08/08/2021 16:16

Take off any jewellery before. I rushed to take off a necklace and managed to break the catch (the nurse was really rushing me and I got flustered). Take a book.

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/08/2021 16:21

The appointments are times to the minute. Get there on time and don't faff about getting undressed. They rush because they have tight targets to meet and get everyone done.

It's slightly uncomfortable but, I'm sure, a lot less painful than breath cancer that doesn't get diagnosed until too late. Two members of my family have had early diagnosis and successful treatment thanks to breast screening.

Sewaccidentprone · 08/08/2021 16:22

Depends on your breasts as to how painful it is. If you’re still quite firm, then you’ll probably find it more uncomfortable.

Your breasts are basically squashed individually from 3 different directions till they’re approx 5cm. You’ll be adjusted into the correct standing position, with your arm raised and on the machine.

I find them very uncomfortable almost to the point of painful, but as long as I stay relaxed and do my deep breathing I’m ok. They don’t take very long.

I personally wear clothes which are quick and easy to take off and on, and remove my jewelry before and put it in my bag.

I go every 12mths due to family history, so think I’ve had 8? and started before the age of 50.

CormoranStrike · 08/08/2021 16:23

@Galassia

I’ve only been once and never will again as it hurt like hell!

I have a high pain threshold and was surprised at how much it hurt.

Not trying to put you off but thought I would mention it as it was a complete surprise to me.

I think it hurt as I don’t have very big boobs only a c cup and she had to try and get enough to place in the vices! Ok they aren’t vices but that’s what they felt like!

I’ve had four, only one was painful (I have a low pain threshold) but even then I went back for every recall etc.

I reckon the pain of serious illness outweighs the brief pain of a mammogram.

mangopip · 08/08/2021 16:24

Take some pain killers before you go

MrsFin · 08/08/2021 16:25

@Galassia

I’ve only been once and never will again as it hurt like hell!

I have a high pain threshold and was surprised at how much it hurt.

Not trying to put you off but thought I would mention it as it was a complete surprise to me.

I think it hurt as I don’t have very big boobs only a c cup and she had to try and get enough to place in the vices! Ok they aren’t vices but that’s what they felt like!

Having late stage breast cancer that was previously undetected is a hell of a lot more painful, lasts a lot longer, and doesn't usually end well.

FFS - get a mammogram done every few years!!!

Sewaccidentprone · 08/08/2021 16:26

I usually breath out then count to 10 as it seems to be less uncomfortable when my lungs aren’t full.

ItsJustTheOneSwanActually · 08/08/2021 16:28

I’m a GG and mine really hurt due to lots of cysts. Hence I’ve had mammograms every year since I was about 37, to make sure none of my lumps are nothing nasty.

I take painkillers beforehand. It’s very quick. No way would I not go, I have family history too.

Amdone123 · 08/08/2021 16:32

I had my 2nd one week ago and it was quick, a bit uncomfortable but not painful. The 1st one I had was worse mainly because a 'friend' told me it hurt ( thanks for that), and I was a bit tense.
She asks a few questions including dates of jabs ( if you've been done). The months will do.
Yes, wear separates. I wore a dress so had to take it off. Fortunately I'm not shy but a skirt and top would have been better.
Got another all clear.

frustratedgreeter · 08/08/2021 16:33

I'm in the US and they do them annually here from a younger age. I'm a A/B cup with 'dense breasts' apparently. I find it incredibly painful but I assumed that was more to do with the amount of pulling about they have to do to get what I do have correctly in the machine. Saying that, it really doesn't take too long as long as you don't move or breathe when they are taking the image. No way is the pain element a reason not to go.

DinosaurDiana · 08/08/2021 16:35

I wasn’t given a gown either time. I just took my top off.

Daisymae15 · 08/08/2021 16:36

Mammogram detected BC very early.
Had the all clear last month. Told that I wouldn't have felt
any lumps for a long time. Thank goodness for mammograms.

ShortBacknSides · 08/08/2021 16:49

Breathe ...!

I anticipated pain, as I'm small chested with strong pectoral muscles. But it was alright really - just the feeling of compression. Not pain - discomfort perhaps. But I did deep breathing and breathed out on any discomfort.

I've had really specialist mammography (they take about 4 or 5 images of each breast for various angles), because 3 of my close female relatives have had varying degrees of breast cancer (one would have died if not for a double mastectomy). So I do it gladly.

We are fortunate to have this screening programme, and for free.

PaperMonster · 08/08/2021 16:56

I’ve had three and, whilst uncomfortable, they never hurt until the last one at the end of last year. I’m still suffering. So my top tip would be to make sure you have a gentle nurse!!

scochran · 08/08/2021 17:03

Top tip is that it can save a lot more pain than it causes and is really not bad.

OhGiveUp · 08/08/2021 17:15

@Sewaccidentprone Trust me, breast size/shape has nothing to do with the pain threshold.
I have a mammogram annually, I have done since my mid 30s due to incidences of BC in the female side of the family.
I'm due to go again this month, I'm not looking forward to being pulled and squeezed until they look like they're going to go with a bang, but it's better than the potential second option.
Any woman offered this service, please attend, it could just save your life.

MrsMoastyToasty · 08/08/2021 17:17

Don't wear talc anywhere near your boots. It shows up on the xray, as I found to my cost and had to have a second set done after a quick brush down with some paper towel.

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