Mammogram advice for first-timer?

[ValerieMorghulis]

I have been invited for my first breast-screening appointment (I’m 51.5) I’m not nervous particularly, but have a bit of trepidation - which I know is daft

Can anyone give me some detail on what to expect please? The letter doesn’t say much - except that by a perfect coincidence it’s in a mobile unit right outside my work!

What she said. Except it's not just uncomfortable - it's painful!

Everyone is different. I didn't find it painful, just uncomfortable. You don't need ibuprofen beforehand unless you tend to get painful boobs anyway. Having small boobs makes it difficult and the person doing the mammogram had to do a lot of manipulation, on me to get anything between the plates.

It is a contact sport and the positioning is amazingly detailed - very technical job. As noted, don't wear deodorant or talc. Basically just do as you are asked.

What a useful and reassuring thread. Thanks OP.

I've had yearly mammograms since my early 30s and would have them weekly if it meant I never needed to have a smear test again! Also crap pain threshold and I wouldn't describe it as pain. I always have a nice chat while I'm there too! . Don't worry about what to wear , apart from making it quick and easy to whip off and on.

OP - although you have been invited for breast cancer screening have you properly considered whether you should attend, rather than automatically assuming you will?

I know this will perhaps be an unpopular opinion to post, but increasingly health professionals are pointing out that the evidence of the benefits of breast screening are much less clear than they are for cervical and bowel cancers.

This article from a GP in the British Medical Journal explains it far more clearly than I could www.bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l1409

but essentially:

• GP surgeries are incentivised with payments for getting women to take up breast screening

YET

• There are well known problems with lead time bias, overdiagnosis, and toxic treatments of screen detected “cancers” that would never have caused a problem
• A 2013 study concluded that for every one woman who would avoid dying of breast cancer due to screening , another 10 would have unnecessary treatment.

Indeed the original founder of the UK Breast Screening programme has now called for its closure saying that you cannot conclude that breast screening saves lives: lizearlewellbeing.com/healthy-living/michael-baum-interview

My mother died from breast cancer, so this is condition close to my heart. (Interestingly she was diagnosed in a five year period between mammograms, after finding a lump herself). However after fully reading up on all the issues, I personally decline my mammogram invitations having concluded that the potential harms far outweigh the possible benefits. Futhermore, the fact that the GP surgery gets paid to harass me about it makes me deeply uncomfortable.

Think it depends o the size of your bust how much it hurts.

If you're on the smaller side, take 2 paracetamol half an hour before.

You see i would say one life saved is worth that ratio. I remember that story at the time, and seeing people who felt they had had unnecessary treatment interviewed, and thinking what I wouldn't give to be one of those to have found out my treatment had been unnecessary.

I didn't even find mine uncomfortable. Just a quick bit of painless pressure on the breast. I was actually convinced the mammographer hadn't done it properly because of the stories I'd previously heard! But she said lots of people don't really feel anything. I have small breasts.

I have a non existent breast and am a total wimp and I find it ok.

*Think it depends o the size of your bust how much it hurts. If you're on the smaller side, take 2 paracetamol half an hour before

I don't think so. I am really tiny, and they struggle to get anything between the plates with me, but I have never needed painkillers. I just think some women suffer more pain in that area than others. I don't think size has anything to do with it.

I just think some women suffer more pain in that area than others. I don't think size has anything to do with it.

Perhaps you're right. Usually I have a super high pain threshold but that bloody hurt. I suppose the size could be irrelevant...

@feelinggeriatric

You see i would say one life saved is worth that ratio. I remember that story at the time, and seeing people who felt they had had unnecessary treatment interviewed, and thinking what I wouldn't give to be one of those to have found out my treatment had been unnecessary.

Except that treatment itself carries a high risk of cardiovascular disease and mental health problems.

Professor Baum now suggests the ratio may be equal:
“For every breast cancer death avoided there is one death caused by over-diagnosis.”

Treatment for breast cancer is awful and fundamentally changes a woman's life forever - they become saddled with the label of 'cancer survivor' and live in constant fear of the cancer (which may never have developed) returning.

It's a very flawed service with little real evidence of benefit for most women.

@whippet I do find that a really interesting debate and did post graduate research into the benefits/harm of breast screening at certain ages.

The harm was particularly relevant in the over 70's age group, and research is still ongoing. I think the bottom line is that screening will find early pre cancerous cells and in the over 70's the harm of treatment (often surgery/chemo/radiotherapy) will outweigh the extra years given in a cancer that may have never developed into something life threatening.

Which is why currently screening stops at 70-73yrs. The risk of breast cancer is higher, but the treatment doesn't necessarily prolong quality of life.

My tip tip - If you are still hormonal, change the appointment if it is the wrong time of the month for breast tenderness.

If you are really worried, paracetamol, then nurofen plus later, will make you bomb proof - even for multiple mammograms on difficult to reach places after a recall

I have had mixed experiences - not sure if it is the machine used, or the operator. Most of them were nice (except one - there's always one )

I mean the invitations to screening stops at 70-73. Women can choose to be screened thereafter and arrange screening if they wish to.

Sorry to hijack the thread but I have a question if I may!

I'm a couple of years off being invited to routine mammograms, but I've always wondered how they deal with tiny boobs.

I literally am tiny (well my boobs are, not the rest of me!)...really tiny, barely there.

How does that work?!

Larsingsong what do you do with breast implants, not sure mine can be squished between two metal plates??

Sorry OP? Have always wondered this.

I had one for breast lumps... they were great and just manoeuvred the melons into place and got on with it... wasn't painful at all just odd and they make the room warm so no nipple freezing 😂

@UnforgottenPunk I'm not even an A cup and they just get hold of it and kind of manoeuvre it. I'm not sure it's any different as they have to get all the tissue right up to your chest regardless , but I wonder if I have to press forward more to keep it between the plates !

@twinkle01

We're really used to implants and they generally don't cause any problems during the procedure.

Make sure the mammographer is aware you have them, we'll just apply the minimum acceptable pressure. This has never damaged an implant so far.

We may do a couple of extra views to compress any breast tissue in front of the implant. You don't have to do this, but be aware that the lack of compression on the mammogram could potentially hide a cancer.

The mammographer will explain this during the procedure.

I've just had the appointment through for my 23rd mammogram so I'm an expert!

Don't use deodorant that day as it interferes with the x ray.

In my considerable experience, it's uncomfortable but not really painful, plus it's over really quickly. I try to schedule them for just after my period rather than just before. I don't always remember to take paracetamol beforehand and it doesn't seem to make any difference.

@feelinggeriatric thank you, that's reassuring! I know they'll deal with all shapes and sizes, day in day out and have utmost confidence...it's just always baffled me in terms of the practicalities

I had no idea about the deodorant/talc thing!

I've had a few. First lot in my early 30s because of lumps and then regular since my 50s. Without fail, all the staff have been super caring and really do their best to make you feel at ease and comfortable. I find it excruciatingly painful- but only for a matter of seconds.

Last few times have been in a mobile unit. They are very well kitted out and well sanitised between appointments.

I am so glad I asked about all this! Thanks everyone for all the information; it’s hugely helpful hearing your experiences

Is it 1 tit at a time or both together?