Ladies - tell me about mammograms!

[The Orchid]

My mom was diagnosed when I was 36 so I have had yearly since (I'm almost 50). It doesn't seem as bad as it used to be. I go to a clinic that specializes in them so I think they do a good job. Last year was a treat - the gyn ordered a pelvic ultrasound because of bleeding so I got them both done at the same time. Plus I had a cyst in the one breast so I had to have an ultrasound on that too.

The only time I ever got a sticker was when I had a lump (cyst) and they wanted to mark it.

The place I'm going specializes in mammograms too. It's nice to know that you have had a good experience at such a place! Thanks for sharing that. It's good that there are ways to screen people when there is a family history. I have to get upper endoscopies every couple years because my dad had esophageal cancer. It's a pain, but it is comforting to know that these screening tools can find things if they show up early! I hope your (and everybody else here!) mammograms always show up as negative!

 

[MouseketeerOvaHere]

A routine exam usually consists of 2 pictures per breast. The Craniocaudal position places the breast on the imaging receptor (tray) and the tube compresses the breast until it is taut. The Mediolateral oblique position places the image receptor next to the breast and the technologist pulls the breast from inside the armpit to include all tissue, and the tube comes in from the side to hold the breast in place. This position pintches the skin a little and usually causes more discomfort than the previous. A spot compression is performed on abnormal spots and can be more painful as it is putting pressure on the lesion/ masses. Also, if your breast tissue is already tender, a little discomfort can be expected but most people complain about the tray being cold more than the pressure.

The modern machines are made to stop compression at a certain pressure point, meaning that it can only go down so far before it will kick back open. It won't allow it to smash your breast wear damage can be caused. Yes, it's uncomfortable but it's nothing like your grandmother's endured.

Just think ladies, there are men who have mammograms so imagine how fun it must be for them to have what little breast tissue they have into that tray. The technologist's aren't there to hurt you and know how emotional these procedures are. If you have concerns/question's, ask. If you feel your technologist is less than compassionate, let the office manager know.

Good luck and don't worry, you'll be fine.

 

[DianeV]

Does it hurt more if you are 'well endowed'??

 

[MouseketeerOvaHere]

Does it hurt more if you are 'well endowed'??

Well, I can't answer for all ladies, but when I was a student doing the mammography rotation, I wanted to feel what the pressure felt like as to not tell people it doesn't hurt when I had no idea. I am a full C cup and it didn't really hurt much at all. Pinches a bit but to me getting a shot hurts far worse.

 

[Holidaymouse]

DianeV~ it hurts more if you have dense breasts which "well-endowed" ladies tend to. Advil is your very best friend.

For all of you ladies, remember to not wear store bought antiperspirant at your mammo. Most mass produced deoderants are made with Aluminum Zirconium which shows up on x-ray as little white spots. Due to this, they have to do additional testing to make sure it isn't calicification or other yummies living in your tissue.

Also, keep in mind that the 10 minutes of discomfort is definitely worth it to make sure you are healthy.

If, for some reason, you must have breast surgery..check out the website breasthealthonline.com

It's a fabulous source for those of us that have cysts, fibroids, tumors, cancer, or..in my case...cystic big ole knockers that needed to be taken down a size or ten.

If you do have to go through surgery, please feel free to contact me..I've been there..

 

[lovepurple]

I found it to be more painful than I thought it would be. It felt like they were trying to actually squash my breasts. She just kept making it tighter and tighter and I told her she was going to make me pop. I am well-endowed and just don't think breasts were made to be completely flattened out. Lots of people tried to tell me it wouldn't be that bad. But it was awful for me and I was in tears. But it is something that needs to be done, and is done in a relatively short amount of time. It just didn't feel like it at the moment. Maybe it wouldn't have bothered me as much if all the people who told me about it hadn't said it didn't hurt and was no big deal. I've given birth to four children and would never tell someone it doesn't hurt and it's no big deal. But it is worth it.

 

[jaminmd]

I had my first at 35 & it didn't bother me at all.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Had one yesterday...it's nothing at all & just a few minutes.

 

[OceanAnnie]

They are so much better than they use to be. The one at our clinic has a padded "shelf" and it only takes a few minutes and the whole thing is over. The actual smashing is just a few seconds.

I want a padded shelf! Seriously. The place I go doesn't have one.

Mammograms are a little unpleasant. I make the apt. and put it out of my mind till the time comes, like Scarlett O'Hara. It's a little painful. It's weird to be smashed. Just when you think you can't be smashed any more, it is accomplished. It's for good reason, and it isn't as bad as it sounds but you feel it. And while you are feeling it you have to hold your breath till they take the picture. I'm standing there thinking I drove over here for this? It's pretty comical when you think of it. But it's necessary. I feel good when I leave. It's a feeling of relief knowing I did something proactive for my health.

 

[MaumeeMom]

If you're really sensitive in "that area", maybe call and ask ahead of time if you can take some Advil or Tylenol beforehand. I've had at least 10; they are not bad at all...in and out in 10-15 minutes. They take 2-3 views of each one, then you're done. You'll be so relieved when it's over...just do it! Gotta make sure the girls are healthy!! I always make jokes..."you put your right one in, you take your right one out....".

I agree, ask your doctor about taking a pain reliever about an hour before your appointment.

I have very dense tissue and, I won't lie, for me it hurts to have a mammogram. Taking a pain reliever first has helped me. Most people I know have no problem.

Good luck and just remember it is for a good reason and only takes a few minutes.

 

[cepmom]

I have dense breast tissue and do find mammograms pretty uncomfortable but not awful. I have to schedule them right after my period when my breasts are less sensitive and take some advil/tylenol about an hour or so before hand.

 

[The Orchid]

OMG, what a crazy day. I got the mammogram, that was nothing to be afraid of. It was so easy and painless I feel embarrassed for worrying about it.

The problem is, they confirmed that I did find a lump in my breast (actually, the mammogram found two). They did an ultrasound to see if they were just cysts. Frankly, the ultrasound was more uncomfortable than the mammogram, that thing pressing down on my girl! Even that wasn't bad, just a tiny bit uncomfortable.

The masses were not cysts. So they had to do a biopsy. Now that scared the h**l outta me. I feared that in a really big way. But they got me in today, same day, and honest to God, even the biopsy was completely painless. I did some deep breathing exercise and meditation and I didn't even know when she put the needle in. They numbed it up and I felt nothing. When the actual biopsy happened, there was a slight sensation that something happened, but nothing to be upset about. It wasn't pain or even discomfort...perhaps pressure. They said my girl would be sore after the numbing stuff wore off, but she's fine. It's like nothing happened. If I were told tomorrow that I had to do it again, I would not be upset at all.

I can't believe how painless it all was, even the biopsy. I feel very relieved that I got through all this.

So..........now I get to wait over the long holiday weekend to find out if I have breast cancer. They think it is probably benign, but they wanted to be sure. The doctor told me if it was breast cancer, it is extremely early and they could simply remove the lumps and I may not even need chemo. So I'm not too panicked. Maybe it's because I've gone through so much already (I have several autoimmune diseases) but I really feel ok about it all.

Anyway, I feel proud of myself for having found the lumps myself. I always felt like I wouldn't be able to find anything, but I did find them. Even my doctor didn't find it, but she ordered the mammogram anyway. See, breast self exams really work. If it is cancer, I found it, and it's very, very early. It's about 1cm, which is very small! I am now a firm believer in self exams!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

So..........now I get to wait over the long holiday weekend to find out if I have breast cancer. They think it is probably benign, but they wanted to be sure. The doctor told me if it was breast cancer, it is extremely early and they could simply remove the lumps and I may not even need chemo. So I'm not too panicked. Maybe it's because I've gone through so much already (I have several autoimmune diseases) but I really feel ok about it all.

Anyway, I feel proud of myself for having found the lumps myself. I always felt like I wouldn't be able to find anything, but I did find them. Even my doctor didn't find it, but she ordered the mammogram anyway. See, breast self exams really work. If it is cancer, I found it, and it's very, very early. It's about 1cm, which is very small! I am now a firm believer in self exams!!!!!!!!!!

You should be very proud of yourself!!!!!!!!
Sending you prayers & pixie dust. Please post when you hear your results.

 

[MariDisney]

I am going to have my first one in a couple of weeks. Do you stand when they do it? I think yes. I am short, not quite 5'1''. I am picturing myself on my tippy toes trying to get my girls on the plates. Are they adjustable for height?

 

[AshleyW]

I am going to have my first one in a couple of weeks. Do you stand when they do it? I think yes. I am short, not quite 5'1''. I am picturing myself on my tippy toes trying to get my girls on the plates. Are they adjustable for height?

I was wondering that, too - I'm 5'0" and it could be a pretty funny situation if they're not completely adjustable.

 

[The Orchid]

You should be very proud of yourself!!!!!!!!
Sending you prayers & pixie dust. Please post when you hear your results.

Thank you!

I am going to have my first one in a couple of weeks. Do you stand when they do it? I think yes. I am short, not quite 5'1''. I am picturing myself on my tippy toes trying to get my girls on the plates. Are they adjustable for height?

Yes, you do stand, and yes the plates that you put your girls in are completely adjustable. I was worried about how they would get mine in there because I'm rather small. But they sure managed it. When you don't know what to expect or what the machine looks like, it feels very intimidating. But the reality is that it is just a small, plate-like thing that is attached to an arm that goes to a larger part. You stand and it goes to whatever height you need and it really is that simple. It did not hurt, not at all. Honestly, I went through a lot today and none of it was painful, not even the biopsy.

Please come back and let us know how it went!

 

[The Orchid]

I was wondering that, too - I'm 5'0" and it could be a pretty funny situation if they're not completely adjustable.

You'll be just fine! You're not going to believe how fast it is. For some reason, I imagined it would take much longer, but it was quick. I just can't believe how worried I was about it. Now I want to make sure everybody who has to get this done knows that it really is easy!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I am going to have my first one in a couple of weeks. Do you stand when they do it? I think yes. I am short, not quite 5'1''. I am picturing myself on my tippy toes trying to get my girls on the plates. Are they adjustable for height?

The plates adjust & yes you stand.....

 

[Belle0101]

OMG, what a crazy day. I got the mammogram, that was nothing to be afraid of. It was so easy and painless I feel embarrassed for worrying about it.

The problem is, they confirmed that I did find a lump in my breast (actually, the mammogram found two). They did an ultrasound to see if they were just cysts. Frankly, the ultrasound was more uncomfortable than the mammogram, that thing pressing down on my girl! Even that wasn't bad, just a tiny bit uncomfortable.

The masses were not cysts. So they had to do a biopsy. Now that scared the h**l outta me. I feared that in a really big way. But they got me in today, same day, and honest to God, even the biopsy was completely painless. I did some deep breathing exercise and meditation and I didn't even know when she put the needle in. They numbed it up and I felt nothing. When the actual biopsy happened, there was a slight sensation that something happened, but nothing to be upset about. It wasn't pain or even discomfort...perhaps pressure. They said my girl would be sore after the numbing stuff wore off, but she's fine. It's like nothing happened. If I were told tomorrow that I had to do it again, I would not be upset at all.

I can't believe how painless it all was, even the biopsy. I feel very relieved that I got through all this.

So..........now I get to wait over the long holiday weekend to find out if I have breast cancer. They think it is probably benign, but they wanted to be sure. The doctor told me if it was breast cancer, it is extremely early and they could simply remove the lumps and I may not even need chemo. So I'm not too panicked. Maybe it's because I've gone through so much already (I have several autoimmune diseases) but I really feel ok about it all.

Anyway, I feel proud of myself for having found the lumps myself. I always felt like I wouldn't be able to find anything, but I did find them. Even my doctor didn't find it, but she ordered the mammogram anyway. See, breast self exams really work. If it is cancer, I found it, and it's very, very early. It's about 1cm, which is very small! I am now a firm believer in self exams!!!!!!!!!!

Good for you for being proactive with your health! I'll keep fingers crossed for the best possible outcome. Let us know how it goes for you, okay?

I am going to have my first one in a couple of weeks. Do you stand when they do it? I think yes. I am short, not quite 5'1''. I am picturing myself on my tippy toes trying to get my girls on the plates. Are they adjustable for height?

I was wondering that, too - I'm 5'0" and it could be a pretty funny situation if they're not completely adjustable.

You do stand and yes, the shelf is adjustable. Can you imagine how akward it would be if it were a one size fits all type machine ... I'm 6 feet tall! Y'all would be on tippy toes and I'd be all scrunched over.

 

[AshleyW]

You'll be just fine! You're not going to believe how fast it is. For some reason, I imagined it would take much longer, but it was quick. I just can't believe how worried I was about it. Now I want to make sure everybody who has to get this done knows that it really is easy!

Good to hear how easy it is! Hopefully you get some good news soon about your biopsy.

How old was everyone when they got their first one done? Is there a certain age doctors recommend? My great-grandma had a mastectomy done last year due to breast cancer, so I've been trying to be as proactive as possible about this kind of stuff.