I had my first mammogram today

[Youspurnme]

I didn’t really know what to expect as I have heard some horror stories but it was fine.
Boobs briefly squashed into the machine, all over in less than 5 minutes. Not hugely comfortable but not especially painful.
Anyway hope this reassures anyone who has their first one coming up.
Obviously I’m assuming results come back fine 😁 but I’m grateful that despite its struggles the NHS still provides this screening. Fingers crossed for healthy boobs for us all.

I had several but thank you for posting as hopefully someone who is waiting to have one will read it and realise they’re doable. As I say, I’ve had a few. They can be a little uncomfortable, and one or two painful, but it’s over and done with fairly quickly. Sending positive vibes to you.

“…but I’m grateful that despite its struggles the NHS still provides this screening.”.

I feel the same . Whether you’re going for a routine test, or because you have concerns, we fortunate to have this service, and that it’s free of charge.

Nowhere near as horrible as a smear or having a "deep clean" at the dentist.

I was told by a relative that it was awful and I was dreading it.
It was fine. Unusual.to be squidging my breasts into certain positions as instructed by someone I'd just met.

I've had several routine ones (I'm 64) and I've never found it painful. The radiographers are always exceptionally nice too. They put you at your ease.

How is it for someone with very small breasts as in 32aa? Breast cancer runs in my family and I will be nearing the age of testing but fear I will not be able to have anything done due to how small they are!

Our local screening bus parks up at the garden centre so I think just about everyone goes to the nice cafe afterwards as a reward or treat.

How old are you? I think I'm coming up for breast screening age.

I’m not sure I can bring myself to do it, I’m worried about the pain, the squashing to get the ‘right’ image.

I have smears. I’ve had an ultrasound and an ECG of my heart so it’s not the awkwardness or embarrassment. I’m 47 so think I’ve a few more years before I get called. I’m sure if it were men’s testicles they were squishing they’d have a better test!

I’m small breasted as well (36a) so similar cup size. It’s absolutely fine. They just adjust the machine to your body and squish your boobs in.

Honestly, it’s fine. I think going to the dentist is worse!

They basically ask you to stand in a certain way ( arms outstretched etc) , you lean into the machine, and they put you in position and it’s done.

The dentist doesn’t bother me either 😂it’s irrational I know. I’ll have to suck it up I suppose but I’ll be a wreck. I really don’t want to do it.

I’ve had two mammograms now. The first was really painful because the nurse wasn’t gentle and was pulling my arms about and she left me in the machine for ages. She called for help from someone more senior and with her it was a lot less uncomfortable.
Definitely glad I had it done but I’d far prefer a smear or tooth clean tbh!

Definitely do go and have it done. It is all over very quickly. And getting the all clear letter is very reassuring. x

Having been diagnosed with stage 1, grade 3 breast cancer in December 2024 and having had a lumpectomy, 16 lots of chemo and 10
lots of radiotherapy. I’m extremely glad for mammograms! I never would’ve felt the lump, I couldn’t feel it when I knew where it was. As my consultant told me by the time I’d been able to feel the lump of my extremely aggressive cancer, I’d have been in a very different place.

Im now cancer free.

Thank you NHS!

NEVER MISS YOUR MAMMOGRAM!

I know some people hate them and find them painful.
I find them fine. It's smears I hate with a passion.

Thankyou for posting.

Its good to read you experience was positive.

I've never had a mammogram, I stopped all screening and declined a hysterscopy a few years ago as I can't bare the idea of being examined or undressed in front of anyone.

I know its ridiculous but I just can't bring myself to do it, its literally like a phobia.
But your post has made me think about it.

Please read my post further up, it literally saved my life having a mammogram when I did!

I've had several mammograms and the radiographers are excellent at putting you at ease. Being women they'll likely have experienced mammograms themselves

It takes very little time and you're treated with respect throughout

Like other pps are saying, we're lucky to have these offered for free

I’m 50, nearly 51, got the letter inviting me about a month ago (I’m in London).
@Glitchymn1 it’s not painful as such, your boobs have to be sort of hoisted on to a platform then a plastic shelf is put very firmly on top. It’s uncomfortable but it is literally 10 seconds (I counted).
The worst part was remembering when my boobs used to hold themselves up rather than having to be hoisted, sigh.

I've had two. Mildly uncomfortably but not painful for me thankfully. In fact far better than breastfeeding was for me in the early days, and I stuck that out.

Without wishing to sound flippant or dismissive of people's fears, when I wobble about such things I sternly remind myself that the screening test is a small price to pay for the chance to catch a disease early that could otherwise kill me. Also how angry I would be with myself if I didn't go and was later diagnosed too late

Even if it hurts a bit, the whole appointment is no more than ten minutes.

It was no more uncomfortable than wearing a bra that doesn’t fit properly.

It was worth it to get a letter that says “You do not have breast cancer”.

I'm having one on Friday. I'm not keen, I do find them very uncomfortable, but it's all over very quickly and like others I'm very grateful for the screening so I always make sure I go.

Please please please for those of you worried about it do go - it doesn't take long and it can save a life .... it's saved my life - I was diagnosed very very early thanks to a mammogram with invasive lobular breast cancer - the type that you don't find a lump - by the time I could have felt mine it would have been a very different story

So far so good but I'm incredibly beyond grateful that by enduring a few minutes of discomfort and the excellence of the person/persons who looked at my mammogram detected my bc so early.

Thanks for posting. I had my first a few years ago and as you say more squashy than painful. Worth it to get the job done.

I was always really surprised that my mum - who had breast cancer - the brca gene never gave me a heads-up on what the procedure entailed. I always thought it was just a boob x-ray till I rocked up.

She never gave me a clue on smear tests either - something I'd always have done, but was not expecting something so invasive on my first round!

@2old4thispoo I’m sorry to hear you have a phobia 🙁. Maybe you can ask your GP for some anti anxiety medication to take beforehand?
Personally I’ve found that smear tests and now this mammogram have been so quick, that it was over before I could really think about it.
The hospital I was at today is a major teaching hospital with a separate clinic for breast screening. They clearly do this all day every day, they are super efficient but lovely and kind too. It’s a production line of sorts but in a good way. If you can bring yourself to do it you’ll be on your way home before you know it and you will hopefully get the reassurance of a good result