First mammogram. What should I expect?

[SouthCoastShell]

I've received my first mammogram appointment (I'm 51) I've heard they can be uncomfortable/painful.
Should I take painkillers before I go? What has been everyone's experience?

@BeaLola and sending best wishes on your recovery 🙏

@TheFormidableMrsC thank you for the reassurance x

Had my first one last year and it was uncomfortable but not painful. The worst bit was the faffing around at the beginning. I'm really quite tall and the machine was set for a more average height woman so it took a bit to get it set right. Standing in a mobile breast unit with my tits out in January was a little chilly! Sonographer was lovely.

Thank you
I feel immensely grateful that it has been caught so early and prognosis is good - hopefully it will stay that way

I've had two. The first time was a bit painful but less unpleasant than a smear. The second time was uncomfortable but not painful. Not sure if the staff were better or I was just more at ease. The worst part is getting your body at the right angle to get your breast on the plate properly. That can be a bit of a faff. Wear loose clothing on your bottom half.

Just on a practical note

1. Wear separates, not a dress - so you only have to strip your top half
2. You will be asked to remove any deodorant - (you'll be given a wipe to do so) so take yours with you to reapply afterwards
3. You will be asked to tie your hair back - so don't plan on maintaining a perfect hairstyle if yours is messed by being tied back for a few minutes

I've had 3 and never had an issue. I'm 6 feet tall so there had to be a bit of adjustment.

I have never been asked to do either of these things - each centre I guess does it differently

I have my first one coming up next week, so thank you for all these reassuring tales from me too.
(I'm still going to buy the treat I promised myself afterwards even if the process is less horrific than I'm fearing)

Mine wasn't painful, I'm a 32F for reference. I think it might be hard to position small boobs

Definitely buy yourself a treat - I bought myself a raspberry yumnut from M&S (any excuse )

I had my first recently and nearly fainted! It was really hot in the room and I came over light-headed when I was squished. Had a glass of water and carried on.

It was pretty painful but over quickly.

It’s not the most comfortable or dignified experience in the world, the titty squisher was certainly not designed by a woman. It is also a bit of an odd experience having them manipulated and put into place by someone you have only just met, but you just have to remember they are doing it all day everyday so you are nothing special!

Each one will require two positions, a side to side and an up and down, you will be standing in a bit of an unnatural position, but it is just for a few seconds, stay very still when the person goes behind her screen as any movement by you might mean you have to be re squished. Make sure you wear a top that can be taken off rather than a dress ,I think at my one they also ask you not to have used creams or deodorants that morning.

I do find it painful, but had radiotherapy years ago which can make it worst. Actually, the first boob is generally worst than the second. I usually count to ten and chatter utter nonsense, and then it’s over.

Wear clothes that are easy to remove. Quite often I don’t bother with a bra, especially if it’s done in winter where you can wear a thick, loose wooley jumper over the top.

And treats are definitely in order.

Question for the flat chested, how on earth does it work when you have really nothing to squish?!

I have very small breasts and had breast cancer 4 years ago. Actually it was probably because they are so small that I found the lump in time.
So I've had a lot of mammograms. Remember once you are post menopause the breasts are less lumpy. They seem to squish what there is in there. I did ask the mammographer last time about the sides. My scar runs into my armpit and there's really no breast tissue to grab there. She did explain they can still get pictures and know what they are looking for.

I found mine extremely uncomfortable - I wouldn't say painful but I was definitely having to do some deep breathing to get through it. Certainly would be utterly impossible at the times of the cycle when boobs are too tender. I bruise easily and had a small amount of bruising afterwards from the [wo]manhandling of my boobs into position, but the staff are all pros and make the whole thing as manageable as possible.