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Original poster

First mammogram tomorrow...any tips?

40 replies

OnlyYourSharpestMinds · 04/05/2022 18:24

I've been called in for a mammogram tomorrow morning due to a change in my breast...to say I'm scared is putting it mildly 😬

The hospital haven't provided a huge amount of information about what actually happens at the appointment - just not to wear deodorant and to wear a mask. I would be very grateful for any wise words of advice or tips - does it hurt a lot, or is the pain fairly mild? Is there any point taking paracetamol beforehand? Will I be sore for a while afterwards?

The thought of my poor boob being squidged between the plates is giving me the fear...but I know it's a necessary discomfort and I am trying my best not to panic.

OP posts:
Pebbles16 · 04/05/2022 18:29

I had my first earlier this year. Not going to lie, it is ouchy - but thankfully quick. Rather like a smear, 'trying' to relax probably helps.
It's not the sort of pain you can prepare for (I know people take painkillers before a smear which does help) and once it is over and done with, it doesn't hurt afterwards - in my experience.
Good luck - not fun but so important to get checked

ItsJustTheOneSwanActually · 04/05/2022 18:29

I find them very painful, but that's because i'm full of cysts (hence the mammogram) so i take painkillers before I go, really helps. Not sore afterwards. Once positioned it's really quick.

It's all rather undignified - they put your boob on the shelf and move you into the right position. I just keep reminding myself that they do it all day long and while it's all really odd for me, it's just another patient for them.

Good luck Flowers

WhiteFire · 04/05/2022 18:33

I hope everything goes ok for you. You will have to undress your top half. They do two separate pictures on each boob. It is more uncomfortable than painful, they sort of smooth out your breast to get it to lie flatish. I actually find the way I have to stand more uncomfortable. It is really quick so you are not squished for that long. One of the times I was warned that my big boobs might make it more difficult (they really aren't) but it has never been an issue. I have yearly scans of(from 40) as I am at higher risk.

Hope it goes ok. Flowers

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Original poster
OnlyYourSharpestMinds · 04/05/2022 18:35

Pebbles16 · 04/05/2022 18:29

I had my first earlier this year. Not going to lie, it is ouchy - but thankfully quick. Rather like a smear, 'trying' to relax probably helps.
It's not the sort of pain you can prepare for (I know people take painkillers before a smear which does help) and once it is over and done with, it doesn't hurt afterwards - in my experience.
Good luck - not fun but so important to get checked

Thanks so much Pebbles!

It's so good to hear first hand experience, none of my friends are at the age where they're routinely having them, so I've no one to ask. That has helped to take the edge off my anxiety - I really appreciate it 💐

OP posts:
Badger1970 · 04/05/2022 18:43

I went for my 1st one last month. It was fine, nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined. They took 4 images, 2 straight on and then 2 sort of twisting at an angle for a side view. Like a PP said, I found the angle you stand at was far more uncomfortable than anything and I didn't feel that my (rather large) boobs were being squashed at all. The radiographer was lovely, really put me at ease, and I didn't feel at all embarrassed/awkward. I had the results in 2 weeks too.

Original poster
OnlyYourSharpestMinds · 04/05/2022 18:44

ItsJustTheOneSwanActually · 04/05/2022 18:29

I find them very painful, but that's because i'm full of cysts (hence the mammogram) so i take painkillers before I go, really helps. Not sore afterwards. Once positioned it's really quick.

It's all rather undignified - they put your boob on the shelf and move you into the right position. I just keep reminding myself that they do it all day long and while it's all really odd for me, it's just another patient for them.

Good luck Flowers

Thanks so much Swan!

That definitely helps - I think I will take some painkillers before in that case.
Yes, I can imagine it's an awkward situation with strangers shifting you and your boob around...mind you, I'm sure I've pretty much got no dignity left after childbirth, so hopefully it won't be too embarrassing 😬

OP posts:
Maireas · 04/05/2022 18:44

It's absolutely fine, I've had quite a few. I've never found them painful, but you get squeezed a bit. It's quite a quick process. Just remember not to wear deodorant - it's easy to forget!
Good luck.

Original poster
OnlyYourSharpestMinds · 04/05/2022 18:50

WhiteFire · 04/05/2022 18:33

I hope everything goes ok for you. You will have to undress your top half. They do two separate pictures on each boob. It is more uncomfortable than painful, they sort of smooth out your breast to get it to lie flatish. I actually find the way I have to stand more uncomfortable. It is really quick so you are not squished for that long. One of the times I was warned that my big boobs might make it more difficult (they really aren't) but it has never been an issue. I have yearly scans of(from 40) as I am at higher risk.

Hope it goes ok. Flowers

This is brilliant, thank you!

The more information I hear like this, the better I feel about it...a bit like reading as many guidebooks about a country that you can before going on holiday there! It just makes me feel like I know what to expect and that, in turn, calms me down. Thanks again WhiteFire.

OP posts:
Thiswayorthatway · 04/05/2022 18:53

In my experience it’s not painful, rather it’s more uncomfortable and undignified, you’ll be in a weird position. But it’s over relatively quickly.

SergeiL · 04/05/2022 18:53

I have had quite a few. They used to be painless but seem to hurt more than I have put weight on and have higher boobs. Which seems odd really. One time, I had to ask her to stop - I felt quite faint from the pain. So now I take painkillers.

Original poster
OnlyYourSharpestMinds · 04/05/2022 18:54

Badger1970 · 04/05/2022 18:43

I went for my 1st one last month. It was fine, nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined. They took 4 images, 2 straight on and then 2 sort of twisting at an angle for a side view. Like a PP said, I found the angle you stand at was far more uncomfortable than anything and I didn't feel that my (rather large) boobs were being squashed at all. The radiographer was lovely, really put me at ease, and I didn't feel at all embarrassed/awkward. I had the results in 2 weeks too.

Badger, thanks so much - my boobs are also rather big (k cup) and I have been worried about how that will affect the procedure. That's very reassuring to hear about your experience, and about getting the results so quickly. Hopefully, mine will go as smoothly as yours. Thanks again.

OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 04/05/2022 18:57

Thiswayorthatway · 04/05/2022 18:53

In my experience it’s not painful, rather it’s more uncomfortable and undignified, you’ll be in a weird position. But it’s over relatively quickly.

This. How uncomfortable depends on the radiographer. My last one was the least uncomfortable I’ve ever had. Nobody told me not to wear deodorant!

tigerbird · 04/05/2022 18:58

I had one recently for the first time, and actually it was far less uncomfortable than I thought it would be - the compression was not too bad and only momentary, and the radiographer was lovely and very reassuring. It was a newer machine so instead of metal plates it was more like a clear plastic plate with a compression plate above it. It really was much less stressful than I had imagined and over very quickly too. Good luck OP! Flowers

ValerieMorghulis · 04/05/2022 19:00

OP I started a similar thread last year and got lots of good advice and encouragement from MNers. Link is here (although much of it may be covered above!) My experience was definitely OK in the end

www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/4236931-Mammogram-advice-for-first-timer

plinkplinkfizzer · 04/05/2022 19:01

I found it helped you are not in a position to be able to look down to see your indignity .

Thiswayorthatway · 04/05/2022 19:02

I have small boobs and could hardly get them on the shelf thing, I was partly mounting the machine at one point 😂

ItsJustTheOneSwanActually · 04/05/2022 19:05

And don't panic if they say they need to do an ultrasound too - mammos are more difficult to get clear results in younger women due to breast tissue density. I always have both.

tigerbird · 04/05/2022 19:08

I have to say I didn’t really find it undignified! Compared to the indignities of childbirth and trying to bf, say, it was absolutely fine just flopping the norks on to a plate in a darkened room, with one very nice woman operating the machine. She does come and gently position you, but I didn’t find that undignified or intrusive at all. She was very reassuring and professional.

I was having a breast examination afterwards too, so the clinic doctor gave me the results immediately. (The scans get sent to be looked at by clinicians rather than the mammographer, so the mammographer isn’t doing the assessment as she’s performing the scan, if that helps).

Bimster · 04/05/2022 19:10

My practical tip is tie your hair back if it’s long. Mine was loose and apparently having even one hair in the way can screw up the image, so it was quite tricky getting my boobs in the thing while simultaneously tipping my head to ensure no hair came forward.

I was nervous about the pain but actually it was completely fine for me, hardly even uncomfortable. 34F boobs.

wishing you all the best.

viques · 04/05/2022 19:15

It can be a bit painful, I have found bruising before now, not from the plates but from the way you have to twist up against the machine. Make sure you stand absolutely still when the operator has arranged you, they go behind a screen but it is not a signal for you to relax! Be prepared to do the whole thing twice. They do a quick check and if not happy with the plates it is back to the squisher you go.

At our centre they have got the whole thing organised very well, so you are not kept hanging about , they used to give you a gown to slip over yourself but not now, so if you are at all anxious take a large scarf to wrap over your shoulders, you obviously take it off for the squishing.

Nearlyadoctor · 04/05/2022 19:20

I had my first one this month, it wasn’t at all painful and no one told me not to wear deodorant.
Its just a bit of an awkward angle for some of the images but as long as you just let the radiographer manoeuvre you around so to speak you’ll be fine.

eurochick · 04/05/2022 19:44

I found it uncomfortable rather than properly painful. I'm small of boob and it's a bit of a struggle getting enough tissue between the plates. On thing that doesn't help is at my local hospital they get you to get undressed on the opposite side of the room to the machine so you have to cross the room with your baps out.

Crocky · 04/05/2022 19:44

Thiswayorthatway · 04/05/2022 19:02

I have small boobs and could hardly get them on the shelf thing, I was partly mounting the machine at one point 😂

I felt like this too 😂
Slightly uncomfortable and undignified but the person doing it was absolutely lovely and very reassuring.

Shutupandsitdown · 04/05/2022 19:51

I had my first one as part of a MOT that my work paid for. I found that if you just kind of go floppy and let the staff move you it’s easier. They said it was good when a patient just lets them manoeuvre you where you need to be.
I also have mammary implants so mine was a bit harder in terms of pressure and they had to do it a few times to get the implant out of the image. Yes it hurt but like previous posters it’s smear pain - over quickly and kind of necessary if that makes sense?
the room was bloody cold too!

MacaroniBaloney · 04/05/2022 19:56

Id rather have a mammogram than a smear any day of the week.
The nurses are super lovely and very professionally guide you and your boobs to the right position.