Has anyone else been for a mammogram {sp}. Just wondered what to expect,

[2sugars]

Mine's in two weeks, so, on the optomistic side, perhaps it can't be too bad. But I still can't stop crying.

Even if you haven't, would you mind talking to me? Only found out this morning.

for you
sorry no mammograme but I've had an ultrasound for a big underarm lump and it was fine -- as yours may be
I don't know what a mammogram is like as i refused it but the ultrasound was efficient, not painful, informative and you could see what was going on

I have a family history of breast cancer (Mum, Grandma, Great Grandma) so since about age 33 I have had them twice a year (except whilst pregnant). I'm 41 now. It really isn't bad; a few seconds discomfort, a bit painful, but mostly just discomfort. They put your boob on a metal plate and bring another metal plate down on top of it (slowly-they don't slam it down! LOL) and it squishs it a bit. Then you stand still like that looking like an idiot and wincing while they Xray it. Then same with other boob.
My Mum had breast cancer twice and is still with us age 69. My Grandma had it but lived till 90.

no need to cry 2sugars

I have one every year due to family history of breast cancer and overactive healthcare insurance requiring a yearly medical

All they do is squish your boobs up against a (cold) plate and take pictures

S'no big deal

Why are you having one? You found a lumpy bit. My boobs are full of lumps so I can't really tell whether a lump is a frightening lump or whether it was meant to be there all along

Don't worry even if you have found a lump, the vast VAST majority of them are benign

They do each boob twice - once top to bottom and once from side to side.

It's not the most pleasant thing in the world, and it can be a bit painful, but it is, literally, over within a few seconds.

Good luck.

Did you have that done before you'd found a lump? Or did you pre-empt that? Just don;t know if I can keep going for 2 weeks without knowing, iysim.

Don't worry 2sugars - once I had one done because I thought I'd found a new and different lump but rest of the time it's just a check up like going to the dentist or having a smear

It's not painful in the sense of a sharp pain but they do squeeze your boobs

You need to forget about it if you can and do lots of stuff to keep your mind off things. Is this a very definite new lump or not?

QC, thank you, you've made me stop sobbing and behave like an adult. Saw my GP this morning and she referred me - just still feels a bit raw.

QC, it's a new lump but my GP said it was soft. Don't know what that means, apart from it's better than hard.

I found 2 lumps and had both an ultrasound scan and 2 mammograms. The mammograms are a bit uncomfortable when they squish down on your boob - but it is all over very quickly. I have boobs that can be quite painful and achy anyway and I didn't find it too bad at all. The lumps that I had turned out to be cysts which they aspirated { drained } and a fibroadenoma {benign lump called a breat 'mouse'}.

The waiting for it all to be sorted out was very stressful, so I know how you must be feeling if you have found a lump. Please try and remember that the vast majority of lumps are benign.

It might be worth phoning the breast scanning dept that you are going to and let them know you are available if they get a cancellation in an attempt to get in earlier.

Don't know if you do these but I am sending you one anyway

I wish I could give you lots and lots and lots of statistics to make you feel better but all I can say is

1. Most lumps are benign
2. For the few that are not, many many are treatable (I'll tell you about my mother and grandmother in a minute)

The worst thing to do for yourself is to sit and play out all the worst case scenarios. These are really really unlikely and you are going to get upset

The best thing you can do is go and play with your dcs

More hugs

Qx

The fact that the gp said it felt soft I would see as a good sign - my gp said that and mine turned out to be cysts.

Mine was soft and it turned out to be "abnormally firm breast tissue" . I was rather hoping that would spread...

The wait is ghastly 2sugars. Much, much sympathy.

And of course positive benign vibes.

Hi 2sugars, I am due to have a mammogram in 2 weeks too after finding a little lump. My GP told me she wasn't overly concerned as she can't feel a craggy edge.

Try not to worry too much. And don't keep feeling it!! My GP has told me to leave mine alone as constantly feeling it can make it grow I must admit to have a quick feel every morning as soon as I wake up though

Keep thinking positive xx

I just had a look on the NHS website and it says on there that 85% of breast lumps are benign. That is a very high percentage. Try and take heart from that 2sugars - it is far more likely to be something benign.

Can you try and do as Quattro says and do something nice with your dc and take your mind off it for a bit.

Couldn't get on here later yesterday, checked in this morning and am overwhelmed by the support I have on MN. Thank you so much.

QC, thank you for your hug - it is very much appreciated. TFM, your post made me LOL!

TimeForMe, how do you manage to sound so upbeat? I recognise that compulsion to keep feeling it

Gosh 2sugars. So much has happened to me over the years that the only way I can cope is by staying positive and upbeat.

Lets put it this way, it can only be good news or not so good news. But whats the point of worrying about it being not so good news when there is as much chance of it being good news?

Whatever the outcome, we will deal with it won't we?

Keep smiling 2sugars and stay positive!! (and only one quick feel a day! xx

How are you feeling today 2sugars? I hope you are feeling more positive and less worried x

Aw, TFM, just read your last post!!! Big hugs to you. My GP's put me on diazepam as I'm finding it really hard to sleep thinking about it. Still, only a week to go. Mine's on the 21st, how about you? XXX