Ladies - tell me about mammograms!

[aprilgail2]

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.

I had my first one at 28. Usually they don't start that young unless there is a problem or you have a family history but since I was adopted there was no way to know family history at that time (I did find birthmom later on) so they start them earlier then normal due to adoption.

 

[cepmom]

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.

I was 35 when I had my first. No family history of cancer, but I have a problem with fibroids in the breasts, and I found one, so they did the mammogram to check it. My insurance only pays for one between ages 30 and 40 so my next one will be next month after I turn 40.

OP ~ good thoughts for you this weekend. I had the biopsy done before too and it's nerve wracking. Mine turned out fine and I'm praying your does too.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I have a lot of cancer in my family, my Aunt got hers at 32 so I pushed hard to get my first at 27 before I got pregnant. I've had about 6 since then and settled on 1 a year at around 37.

I wish they would change the machine though. Why no cloth to cut down on the cold and let me lie face down on a table and let gravity help with the work? All I know is if it was guys who had to do this with their parts once a year the machines would be made of pillows and silk with warmers, hands off, there is so much room for improvement!

 

[Octoberbride03]

I have a lot of cancer in my family, my Aunt got hers at 32 so I pushed hard to get my first at 27 before I got pregnant. I've had about 6 since then and settled on 1 a year at around 37.

I wish they would change the machine though. Why no cloth to cut down on the cold and let me lie face down on a table and let gravity help with the work? All I know is if it was guys who had to do this with their parts once a year the machines would be made of pillows and silk with warmers, hands off, there is so much room for improvement!

Actually I prefer standing, I can just imagine lying down for 1 of these things. Positioning my head over the top or through some hole in the board. Yeah that sounds comfy.

Anyhow I'm 36 and mom got diagnosed in her early 60s so we're starting now, and I better not hear anything about my insurance not covering next yrs followup.

 

[DebbieB]

Actually I prefer standing, I can just imagine lying down for 1 of these things. Positioning my head over the top or through some hole in the board. Yeah that sounds comfy.

Anyhow I'm 36 and mom got diagnosed in her early 60s so we're starting now, and I better not hear anything about my insurance not covering next yrs followup.

My mom was also diagnosed in her early 60's, I was 36 and my insurance had no problem with yearly mammos. You may have to tell them to be sure to code it as family history.

 

[MariDisney]

I wanted to report back that I had my baseline mammogram today. I was at the radiology place about 20 minutes. The place here takes walk ins, so that's what I did wiht a script from my primary doctor. They had me use wipes to clean off my dodorant and put on a gown (keep on pants). I was in the actual testing room for less than 10 minutes. They took 4 films: front and side of each breast. I would say it was slightly uncomfortable when the plates pressed. Each picture lasted about 10 seconds. The rest of the time was the technician getting the girls situated on the plates. I'm not a particularly private or squeamish person, so having her move me all around didn't bother me at all.

My advice is if you're nervous to go anyway. My experience was positive, and the alternative of not knowing if there's a problem is much much worse. I will have no anxiety in "a year and a day" when I will need to get my next one.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I urge everyone to go...I went Wednesday of last week & I have called back for more views, an ultrasound & biopsy.
I go back Monday morning.

 

[MerMom60_94]

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!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Orchid - just wondering how you're holding up and if you have an update. For the record, I had a lump removed surgically once. I was very nervous about having it done, whether it would hurt, and what kind of scarring it would leave. The pain was minor - just a bit of discomfort. Not bad at all and I tend to be a bit of a baby. Also, I would really have to look hard to even find the scar now. Best of luck and hang tight. My thoughts are with you.

 

[MerMom60_94]

I urge everyone to go...I went Wednesday of last week & I have called back for more views, an ultrasound & biopsy.
I go back Monday morning.

Good luck. I've been called back more than once before and it has always been because there was a crease in the skin or whatever. I hope all turns out to be nothing for you.

 

[daisax]

I just had my first one yesterday -- was a little concerned, but it turned out to be nothing, and the technician was very nice and we chatted through the whole thing very comfortably.

She did tell me up front (before we even began) that they often often call people back for more films because they're meticulous about not missing something if there's the slightest little blip on the film. So she urged me not to leap to conclusions if I got a call back, because calls back are so very common.

I will say I could have done without the breast cancer literature and logo stuff in the waiting room.