First mammogram on Tuesday. What to expect

[JenniferBooth]

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.

Ps , I have seen TALC mentioned a couple of times on posts, I hope everyone now understands that mineral derived talc has been classified as potentially carcinogenic ( as asbestos can occur naturally in talc deposits )and is likely to be banned in the eu/uk in the near future. there are safe alternatives such as corn starch or rice powder available.

@Trovindia p.s. if you have a significant family history of breast / ovarian cancer ( then please see your GP to check if genetic screening may be appropriate.this is what’s classified as “ family history “:
You should be referred for an assessment of your risk if:

• 1 first degree relative has had breast cancer before the age of 40
• 1 first degree male relative has had breast cancer at any age
• 1 first degree relative has had breast cancer in both breasts (bilateral breast cancer) at any age
• 1 first degree or second degree relative has had breast cancer at any age and one first degree or second degree relative has had ovarian cancer at any age
• 3 or more first degree or second degree relatives have had breast cancer at any age

First degree relatives include your mother, father, brothers, sisters and your children. Second degree relatives include aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces and nephews. You may also be referred if:

• You have Jewish ancestry
• You or a relative has had sarcoma (cancer in the connective tissues, for example in the muscle or bone) before the age of 45
• You or a relative has had glioma (a type of brain tumour) or childhood adrenal cortical cancer (cancer in the outer layer of the adrenal gland)
• Your family has had a number of cancers at a young age
• 2 or more relatives on your father's side of the family have had breast cancer

Thank you that's really informative

I can say yes to at least three of those. I'll book an appointment.

I am 56 and had my second in December, so my first I would have been 52-53ish.

Think it depends on schedules and when van is in our area.

Some people don't even find it uncomfortable but I find it quite painful. It doesn't last long though. I suggest you take paracetamol before you go.

I’m also fairly small boobed, not much flesh on my chest at all (unlike my thighs!) I found it a bit uncomfortable in that it felt like the skin on my neck was going to split! By the time they squished what there is of my boob then I had to move my head out of the way the skin was really stretched 😂 it was fine though, I’d definitely go for the next one, it was just uncomfortable in a way I hadn’t expected. Im also short so maybe just not the best proportions for the machine

Oh crikey I’m quite short too 🤣 yes all my fat is on my bum and thighs!

Just got mine, 5 months after turning 50. My bowel cancer screen came one day after!

Oh! What's the bowel cancer screening? Didn't even know about that.

Just looked it up! Doesn't apply to me yet.

I could only answer yes to one of those questions (sister had BC before 40) but as a few other family member had been diagnosed with cancer (not young) I was still offered early screening.

For me, early screening was annually and I had to go to the breast screening centre at the local hospital.

When I turned 50 they stopped calling me annually and I reverted to the usual 3 yearly screening. First time I was called for that was this year, at the age of 51 and a half.