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Original poster

First mammogram on Tuesday. What to expect

62 replies

JenniferBooth · 25/05/2025 17:58

Not sure what to expect apart from what ive read on here. You cant wear deoderant or perfume. Is that correct? Will there be somewhere safe to leave my belongings like my handbag Asking as its a mobile unit in a car park. I have big boobs. Is it likely to be less painful.

OP posts:
Wherewillitend25 · 25/05/2025 18:03

I wasn’t told to not wear perfume or deodorant. I am a DD and I didn’t find it particularly painful. It’s not my most favourite thing to do, having your breasts manhandled by an (admittedly very nice and professional) stranger isn’t great but it’s definitely not as bad as a smear test and it’s over very quickly. I left my belongings in the changing area when I was in a private hospital but on the NHS they had me bring them into the room because they’d had some theft.

Wavingnotdrown1ng · 25/05/2025 18:04

I’ve had all mine in hospital but this side of things was very systemised and explained clearly by the nurses e.g valuables, clothing, what to put where and where to leave the gown afterwards. It was pretty quick too. Best wishes.

Original poster
JenniferBooth · 25/05/2025 18:05

Wherewillitend25 · 25/05/2025 18:03

I wasn’t told to not wear perfume or deodorant. I am a DD and I didn’t find it particularly painful. It’s not my most favourite thing to do, having your breasts manhandled by an (admittedly very nice and professional) stranger isn’t great but it’s definitely not as bad as a smear test and it’s over very quickly. I left my belongings in the changing area when I was in a private hospital but on the NHS they had me bring them into the room because they’d had some theft.

Yes im planning to bring my handbag into the room with me and just leave it on the floor.

OP posts:

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General health
AudiobookListener · 25/05/2025 18:06

NHS website describes the process and says no spray on deodorant but roll-on is fine.

Original poster
JenniferBooth · 25/05/2025 18:07

AudiobookListener · 25/05/2025 18:06

NHS website describes the process and says no spray on deodorant but roll-on is fine.

Thanks Obvs i will have a bath but you need deo too in warmer weather.

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 25/05/2025 18:10

I had my first one last week, also in a mobile unit. I went in, they took my name and I went straight into the imaging room. The radiographer went through a few questions, then I took my top and bra off and she talked me through every step. First x ray the machine was upright so your boob goes straight on the perspex plate, then another one comes down to press down so its all flat. She had to do a bit of fiddling before the squashing bit so all the breast is on the plate. As soon as the image was taken it auto released. Then there was an image from the side - this was a little bit more fiddling to get my boob all on. Then repeat on the other side. From walking up the steps to walking out it was 9 minutes total
Not painful at all (and she said if it was at all to say straightaway)

andweallloveclover · 25/05/2025 18:13

I went to my first one in a mobile screening clinic just a few weeks ago (previously had one at hospital)

On arrival they took me in and asked me a few simple questions and then I had to sit and wait just outside the examination room until I was called in. Once in they will ask if its your first and then they pretty much tell you where to stand and what they want from you.

Basically you stand up and have to put your breast on a bottom plate. They will handle your breast and spread it across the plate and then show you how to stand and where to put your arms etc. They then bring a top plate down on top of your breast and you have to keep still while they tighten it. its obviously a little uncomfortable having your breast squeezed between two plates but I wouldn't say its painful.

They will tell you to let them know if its too painful. They then will take another shot from a slightly different position and then do the same again with your other breast. The whole thing only took 10 minutes.

My breasts are DD and I didn't find it painful, like I said, just a little discomfort but its very quick.

LoftSoftPosh · 25/05/2025 18:17

I have enormous norks hence the name change. So big that the mammogram has to have two goes just to get everything covered. I’m saying this so that you don’t feel embarrassed if you feel you’re a bit busty.

Take a paracetamol. It’s two metal plates crushing your tits together. But please please do get yourself checked as a friend of mine went for her first routine one and they caught her breast cancer early. She’s fine now, thank goodness.

Original poster
JenniferBooth · 25/05/2025 18:19

LoftSoftPosh · 25/05/2025 18:17

I have enormous norks hence the name change. So big that the mammogram has to have two goes just to get everything covered. I’m saying this so that you don’t feel embarrassed if you feel you’re a bit busty.

Take a paracetamol. It’s two metal plates crushing your tits together. But please please do get yourself checked as a friend of mine went for her first routine one and they caught her breast cancer early. She’s fine now, thank goodness.

Oh yes im planning on going. Im an HH so sounds like i will have a couple of goes too.

OP posts:
Koazy · 25/05/2025 18:21

My last one was a room with two side rooms off. You went into one side room and undressed while the other person from their side room was being done. When they were done, they went back into their side room to dress (I couldn’t see them) and then my side room door unlocked and I went into the main room. They touch you to get you into position and tell you how they want you to stand. The machine is a bit squishy but they go behind a curtain thing and take a few images. Same again for other side. Takes a minute or two. Then done. Back into side room to change. Easy peasy

gamerchick · 25/05/2025 18:21

Go in, stand there, do this, turn here, squish squish, flat flat flat. Do other side.

Lean on there. Except she was a bit rough and splatted my face off the thing.

In and out in minutes. Wasn't painful or anything.

Koazy · 25/05/2025 18:22

I’m a C cup, quite small boobs but they still managed to manoeuvre me into place. It didn’t hurt. It just feels like pressure for a very short time.

fashionqueen0123 · 25/05/2025 18:24

Goodness I can’t imagine this,
my boobs are tiny. There is nothing to sit on a plate! Does anyone know if smaller chested women need an ultra sound instead? I was reading the other day about how women with dense breasts should also have them.

Original poster
JenniferBooth · 25/05/2025 18:28

LoftSoftPosh · 25/05/2025 18:17

I have enormous norks hence the name change. So big that the mammogram has to have two goes just to get everything covered. I’m saying this so that you don’t feel embarrassed if you feel you’re a bit busty.

Take a paracetamol. It’s two metal plates crushing your tits together. But please please do get yourself checked as a friend of mine went for her first routine one and they caught her breast cancer early. She’s fine now, thank goodness.

I will more likely need Imodium I have bowel issues and its really unpredictable Im showing the symptoms of bile acid malobsorption I have no gall bladder

OP posts:
Wessexfuntime · 25/05/2025 18:29

Had my second one on Friday. Was in and out within 10mins. I am a DD/E and although a wee bit uncomfortable wasn't painful. I forgot to take my chain off and the nurse told me not to worry. I used antiperspirant as normal, no issue. I think the main issue is the use of talcum powder but not sure why, maybe the scan would not be accurate. Don't worry you will be OK and the nurses are lovely and helpful. That was certainly my experience.

dancingwhilstfacingthemusic · 25/05/2025 18:30

no Talc either! It may be briefly uncomfortable but it is so important. My mamogram last year picked up cancer. I’ve just finished treatment - it saved my life.

AutumnLover1989 · 25/05/2025 18:35

Hi. I had my first one last Tuesday. Yes they say no perfume on the neck area and no deodorant as the particles can show up in the X ray. They say up to 2 weeks for the results but mine came back 3 days later. X ray machine etc was all in the same room. I was expecting some discomfort but it honestly wasn't as uncomfortable as I was expecting. The nurse was lovely and put me at ease so try not to worry xx

AutumnLover1989 · 25/05/2025 18:37

JenniferBooth · 25/05/2025 18:28

I will more likely need Imodium I have bowel issues and its really unpredictable Im showing the symptoms of bile acid malobsorption I have no gall bladder

Show quote history

I'm sure you'll be fine. Let the nurse know. She did ask me if I was on HRT,I'm not sure why.

RentalWoesNotFun · 25/05/2025 18:38

I got an nhs guidance sheet with my appointment in a mobile unit. It said only roll on deodorant no talc or sprays.

I was shown into a cubicle with curtains to remove my bra but leave my top on. (You can leave your jacket, bra etc in there as you come back to it but take handbag phone keys etc with you)

Called through to the ‘room’ where the woman radiographer was nice, showed me where to dump my bag.

Removed my top, radiographer carefully lifted my boob onto a shelf in a machine that she adjusted various ways. Then the other boob.

T-shirt back on take handbag etc into cubicle. Put on bra under T-shirt and leave.

got my negative results three weeks and two days later.

Trovindia · 25/05/2025 18:42

Does anyone know what it's like if you have implants? I'm worried about going for one because I don't want them to burst my implants, but I have a massive family history of breast cancer so need to get them done.

EBearhug · 25/05/2025 18:44

I'm an A-cup and my second was Friday. I was in and out in about 5 minutes. It was mildly uncomfortable - I was expecting excruciating pain before my first one, because of things I'd read about and how a needle biopsy had felt, checking a breast lump about 25 years before. And it wasn't painful (and is not at all like a needle biopsy, so i don'tknow why i thought it might be.)

I don't remember being told no perfume or deodorant, and I can't remember if I did - I did think about not using any, in case it made me a bit sticky, as I had the first appointment of the day, and I only live 5 minutes away, so I thought it might not be dry... and I really can't remember what I decided.

The main thing was they were quick, efficient and respectful and clear in their instructions.

EBearhug · 25/05/2025 18:45

I was asked if I was on HRT, and if I'd ever had breast surgery.

Slicesofquince · 25/05/2025 18:56

I'm having my first one on Thursday and this thread has reassured me a bit. I've ducked out of having them in the past.

Pinty · 25/05/2025 19:04

I can't remember being told not to wear deodorant or perfume. In fact I'm sure I have worn them when I have had mammograms as I always do.
Every space is different but I have always had them in hospital, sometimes when I have been I have taken my belongings in with me sometimes there has been a lockable changing room next to the room I had the mammogram in . I'm sure wherever you go there will be somewhere safe to leave your things.
I don't know what affects whether you feel pain sometimes it has been a bit painful but sometimes there has just been a squeezing feeling.
It is always very quick though and the radiographer has always been respectful and kind
And I have always felt that it has been well worth doing.
I'm sure all will go well OP. Try not to worry about it

MedievalNun · 25/05/2025 19:11

I’ve had several in the mobile units and in hospital settings. They are uncomfortable sometimes (paracetamol or nurofen!) but the staff are always fab. Last one in a mobile I was in, done and out in under 10 minutes. It picked something up, I went to a hospital unit & had more & now have a lovely titanium measure in my tit how bloody apt but seriously do go. They will move you to make sure that your images are good.

And treat yourself to flowers or wine after. It’s all part of caring for yourself. X