First time mammogram

[Agloveandbeyond]

I'm 52 and have been called for my first time mammogram and the nerves have hit already. I’ve heard some horror stories of the procedure being painful, particularly as I have quite large breasts.
does anyone have any words of wisdom that would help thanks

Don't wear any deodorant - it might clearly say that on your letter but it didn't on mine & I got told off

I've got big boobs too, 40DD and frankly I've found it can be a bit painful to have them squashed flat. It helps to take a painkiller of your choice an hour beforehand (mine is paracetamol) and it is uncomfortable getting into position, you're sort of draped over the xray plate while holding on tight with your other hand so you don't move.
BUT - had mine done in a large mobile unit parked in the local hospital car park, very accessible; it's nice inside - warm and reasonably decorated, not very clinical, and most of all the radiographers are reassuring and lovely.
Plus -- it's fast with minimal waiting time and it's over very quickly.
I have never had any pain or soreness afterwards. I'd rather have a mammogram than a cervical smear, esp one done by a GP.

I'm not sure if the mobile units have toilets, I'm afraid. Perhaps ring and ask the local hospital where it's based?

I haven’t noticed toilets in mobile unit but both times I have been there has only been one person in front of me and I’ve been in and out in less than half an hour. The staff have been absolutely lovely on both occasions as well.

I had my first mammogram before the age of 50 (urgent referral) and that was quite uncomfortable as my breast tissue was still quite dense and they needed extra images due to breast size.

As I've got older and the boobs have lost volume, they've got easier.

I mean, it's not fun, but once it's over it's not like you walk out hurting. Once done, it's fine.

I've only had very gentle and respect nurses so I have to assume this is the norm. It is uncomfortable rather than painful. Please don't stress about it - you definitely need it done. It will be over in 20 minutes from the time you arrive (hopefully no waiting).

So not as painful as smear tests then? I’m 50 and expecting my call at some point.

I went a couple of weeks ago under the 2ww pathway (turned out to just be a huge cyst). Wasn’t really sure what to expect but it was absolutely fine. I’m 45 and an E, it wasn’t painful, just a bit of pressure while you sort of drape yourself over the machine like a wilting lady in an expensive oil painting for a few seconds - they do each breast from 2 angles as well, but the nurse will arrange you properly for each one.

For me it wasn't painful at all. Uncomfortable for a few seconds for each image.

That’s really good to know, thank you!

I liken it to having your blood pressure taken. That same sensation of squeezing and squeezing and just when you think it's not stopping... it's all over.

I’m a 40dd and it didn’t hurt at all

My main advice is don't try and look at what they are doing.
A) you don't want to see how much a boob can squish.
B) sneaking a peek puts your neck and torso in the wrong position for a good image.

I had a horrendous time with my first one and was recalled to the breast unit as they found something (turned out to be a benign cyst). I was in such a state about having another mammogram at the unit and they were brilliant - they took their time, did it slowly and gently and stopped the clamp thing immediately they had the image. It was like night and day. When I told them how the original one had gone they were horrified - they said that it should never hurt, it’ll be mildly uncomfortable at most, and said that the original one had been done in a rush by someone who should never had done it as she did. They asked me to describe who did it, so I think they might have taken it further.

Morale of the story is - if it’s painful then they are doing it wrong and if it’s at a mobile unit you’re quite within your rights to stop it immediately and ask for it to be done at the breast clinic.

I had my first one recently, 55 so been putting it off. It was a mobile unit in the hospital car park, very clean, nice staff, extremely well organised. The whole thing from going in to coming out only took about 15 mins. I won't lie, it was uncomfortable but not actually painful. They help you through every step of the way and there was no awkwardness or embarrassment (and I'm overweight and a very shy person). I forgot to take paracetamol but would do so next time. I found deep, relaxing breathing helped and the radiographer was very quick. There were no toilets but there were toilets nearby in the hospital reception. I get the impression they wouldn't have minded if I'd asked to nip to the toilet before going in. I wouldn't be worried about having one again and, thankfully, my results were clear and I didn't get called back.

I'm going for my first one tomorrow. I've been squishing my boobs today m to see how uncomfortable it is 😆

I'll be glad when it's over and done with and I think I'm more stressed knowing I'll have to wait a bit for the results. I'm under 50 but my mum was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer 3 months ago.

@Selttan good luck tomorrow. It'll be over before you know it. I'm the biggest coward and was terrified but it was absolutely fine and I'd go for another one and not worry at all beforehand. Sorry to hear about your mum, you are doing the right thing going, believe me, if I can do it, anyone can.

Thank you everyone , i think it’s in a supermarket car park so hopefully they will have toilets
good luck for tomorrow @Selttan

Can’t answer the loo thing.

in and out in a blink. Was asked to go into a little cubicle with an in door and an out door. I left my handbag, coat and upper clothing including bra in the little cubicle which I could lock from
the way I went in. They gave me an open gown to pop on and I knocked on the out door when I was ready and the technician opened and let me into an area which was nicely dimly lit. 2 steps to the machine. No pain. G cup boobs.

not making light of it but how she handled my boobs into the plates was in some way comfortingly comical. It was so swift and so professional and at the same time kind and swift. She knew what to do and to just get it done.

then back into the cubicle, kit back on and out. So efficient!

All done and dusted - I think a previous poster said it feels a bit like when you have your blood pressure taken. I found that just when you think they can't squash the breast anymore it stops. It was uncomfortable but not painful.

Now the 3-4 week wait for results.

Glad it went ok, @Selttan.

I used to do mammograms in a previous life. Easy for me to say (though I do have mammograms myself) but try to relax as much as you can and let the radiographer guide you into position. I’m probably a slightly difficult patient due to having a bit of an idea of the positions I should be in instead of just going with the flow.

If you’ve heard horror stories then they are likely exaggerated. I’ve never had a patient who was overwhelmed by the procedure, and personally I find mammograms much less painful than either a cervical smear or having plaque removed from my teeth.

I can assure you my story wasn’t exaggerated. If you never had a patient who didn’t faint twice from the pain (that was me btw) then you were either lucky or you were doing them correctly.

Mine seem to hurt more n one side than the other, and they hurt my collarbone area when squashed.

This is outing (if you know me irl) but it's not known as Mammogram day in my house, but googly eye day. I have them annually due to genetic risk in my family, and last summer I stripped off to have the radiographer go 'What's that?' looking at my left one. Stuck to me was a googly eye. No idea how it got there to this day. :)

I am large of breast and it is uncomfortable OP and depends on the nurse who does it best one I had was with a male nurse he was more gentle imo best to get checked out xx