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 did read your post and so sorry you have gone through so much but unfortunately its still not enough to make me attend appointments.
It was recommended I ha e a hysterscopy a few years ago but I couldn't bring myself to attend the appointment.

That’s your choice, of course.

How Do you think you’d cope with a terminal diagnosis? Rather than a positive one that you’ll get better, like I have? Better or worse than a mammogram followed by life saving treatment?

Ugh oh yeah breastfeeding was a million times worse, cracked bleeding nips and two bouts of mastitis. Mammogram a walk in the park by comparison

Snap! But mine was triple negative.

I've had two now and not painful for me in the slightest. I remember as I was heading off to my first one a colleague said "good luck, they're really painful I'm afraid!" so I was a bit worried but needn't have been. It's different for everyone but very important to go if you possibly can

Oh I know, I watched my MIL pass from cancer due to a late diagnosis.

My feeling about medical appointments isn't rational, I've tried many things over the last few years but nothing has helped.

@Youspurnme It’s good to see posts like this, the majority say go and it’s not too bad. I’ve a couple of years to build courage lol 🥴

OP I’m glad you have had a positive experience in terms of pain but that isn’t everyones
experience.

I have had about 10 and 7/10 were painful. Especially when they need to do them for longer or as part of a procedure. Or when they really have to get in there. I have had some tha caused no pain and others tha made me dry.

I definitely think everyone needs to have their mammograms and I don’t regret it nor would I ever miss one but realistically I find your generalising your experience. Please don’t assume that it’s all fine. And for the record I don’t mind cervical smears and personally do t find the painful.

100% this.
I had breast cancer when I was 43. It was picked up on a mammogram. It doesn't hurt and believe me breast cancer treatment is far worse.
HAVE YOUR MAMMOGRAM!!!!!

@Hiptothisjive I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such painful experiences. I don’t think I was generalising, more trying to get a positive experience out there as usually it’s the negative ones which get the most comments (unsurprisingly so).
Same with eg having the coil fitted, I was terrified as I had read awful things about it but mine was luckily not bad. I wish I had read more neutral/positive feedback beforehand.
I hope you don’t need to have too many more or at least you get a technician who makes it as painless as possible.

Same here. I find them very painful. I have dense breasts which I think makes it worse. But I still have them and would encourage all women to have theirs too.

Adding my voice to the not painful, bit uncomfortable but necessary. I get them free as a work perk and always opt in.

The ladies who have done them have always been lovely and very professional. I always remind myself in these situations that to them it’s like looking at a spreadsheet.

I've only one boob left now and still attend an annual mammogram - I usually joke that it only takes half as long. It's a little boob and the technician puts her hand underneath and stretches it into the machine to make sure nothing is missed. I don't find it painful, just a bit uncomfortable but perhaps bigger boobs get squeezed more....?

@Hiptothisjive Does the pain continue after the exam or only during? Does anything help? painkillers/ hot water bottle? Do they warn you that it might hurt? This is the bit that plays on my mind.

Thank you. My first ever is tomorrow. It’s good to read your experience.

Let us know how you get on.

My boobs ache afterwards, but it could be psychological. Oh, and they cause you to put on weight, as I always treat myself to something delicious and fattening afterwards, such as a cream cake!

I’m too young for mammograms officially, but I’ve had several.
First one was fine. Second one was fucking agony. I’ve learned to ask to have the big cysts aspirated before the mammogram. That would be my top tip to everyone. If you are likely to have cysts. Get them drained first!

It did hurt me quite a bit unfortunately. I think because boobs are small and very dense. They needed to do it twice. I felt like I was being put in a breville sandwich toaster! It left a few bruises too.

But all worth it to know your breasts are healthy, or not. And I'm glad I now know what to expect.

I'm 40. When do they start calling you up to do them? Is it 50? Can I book one before then or do I need a reason?

@CosmicTea you get called after you turn 50. If you have concerns I’m sure your GP could refer you?

Same. There is not much to hoist anywhere haha

I just had one on a lie down table with holes in it, no squashing! More like a CT scan. Amazing. Im abroad though. It cost about £40 although my insurance covers annual screening

Please be aware that, although important, screening will not spot all breast cancers, even if they are quite large. Screening can miss up to 90% of cancers. Much depends on your breast density and the type of cancer. Sadly, this was me. Do not rely on screening to be accurate and if you think something is wrong, push for answers.

Have had a good few now, a bit uncomfortable but nothing more than that, for me anyway