To wonder why there is no effective alternative to Mammography?

[Charliesunnysky10]

3 years ago, when I was 48, I was delighted to be asked early for a routine mammogram (I had no pain or lumps). I have dense breasts, and the pain during compression was excruciating. I don't even know if the radiographer managed to complete it, because I went faint. I've had pain in my right breast ever since, which I took to be bruising/strain, but when it didn't go I was referred for investigation at the hospital breast unit June 2021. They did ultrasound which was clear as far 'as they could see' but 'mammogram is the gold standard and only that will tell us for certain'. I had to be content with the ultrasound as my fear of the mammogram pain got the better of me. Fast forward to last Sept, I went on combined HRT and have what I took to be hormonal pain in both breasts which masked the targeted pain in my right. However it's coming through more than ever now and I've been referred back to the hospital for the same process as 18 months ago. Part of me is so angry at myself of being fearful of something that could save my life, and the other part is worried sick about how I will cope even with painkillers if I can get over the fear, and wondering why this is the only scan that still compresses tissue; why in over 100 years there is no effective 3D alternative.

@Clarich007 Good for you! None of this is pleasant, but the last thing I want is to put people off with my own worries. Ive been really moved by all the responses too. Thank you!

I’m a mammographer and it’s really interesting reminder getting these perspectives. Most of us try hard to get the balance between discomfort and a good image. A better image can be the difference between something being detected and something not. We feel that responsibility.

Sadly every woman is so different there is no perfect way to do it without causing pain. As previous have said, inform the mammographer you find it very painful, ask them to go slowly/quickly depending on your preference. We are allocated only minutes for each appointment but a good one will do their best. I always try.

(Also - nope, ultrasound is definitely not a possibility for screening. And mammograms don’t catch everything. And they do overdiagnose! But catching things early means you can often be treated without chemo, a huge benefit, and they do save lives. If you are breast aware and you have mammograms, your odds are good.)

Ah the old tit clamping, I often find I’m on my tip toes. Although I’ve noticed some are not as bad as others. The mammo never showed up my cancer.

I’m confused.. I have very small boobs and I’ve just looked at how they do it. My boob would absolute not be able to be crushed from up and down wards? You’d have to lay me flat in the bloody thing!

They managed to do mine when I was an AA cup, I think she saw it as a challenge.

the height of the machine is adjusted- you might feel like you should be on your tiptoes as we are aiming to have your breast pointed kinda at a 90degree angle to your body. I can see why women instinctively stand on their tiptoes but I spend the day asking them not to 😂

I just wanted to conclude this thread by letting you know I had my mammogram, and the radigrapher was absolutely lovely. She completed the scan with minimal pressure, I can't even describe it as uncomfortable and she made it very clear to tell her the second it felt uncomfortable, never mind painful. I was so happy and relieved I nearly burst into tears when she said all done and the images are fine.

I’m also an AA - like, really flat chested. They probably ‘stick out’ about 1-2cm from my rib cage if that makes sense. Can they actually do mine?

Yes they can!