I have to have a mammogram on 28 Jan as I have been on HRT for nearly 20 years and apparently I should have had mammograms pretty regular (I am now 47 boo hoo!!). I don't have a small bust (34DD) but have heard that it can hurt. Has anyone had experience of these and have you ever been called back - what are your experiences of these mammograms.
[Edited 1/9/08 1:58am]

unfortunately in the Uk, as normal practice we dont get mammograms until we are in our 50s.

REDFEATHERS said:

same here, unless we pay for it ourselves, though if there is a family history, I guess a GP would refer you and it would be covered by medicare.

ZombieKitten said:

yeppers..

Noooope.

They look scary as hell though!

I had one once because I had a hematoma on my breast and they wanted to check if everything was okay. It was not so bad. It hurt a bit, but not much. Thank God everything was okay.

blueblossom said:

I have had a mammogram done, I am 36, with a 42DD bust. It didn't hurt as bad as you might think. I felt pressure but it was over before I knew it.

REDFEATHERS said:

I asked for this mammogram because of family history and also because of the HRT. I thought that there wuld be a problem with the Breast Clinic saying no but they said yes, just to give me peace of mind. I also think it is disgraceful that we here in the UK have to wait until our 50s to get checked out.

There is a feeling of pressure but for me it was in no way painful and over very quick

DO IT !

I've never had one, but I'm only 32 and my family does not have a history of breast cancer.

I'm a mammo tech and have had mammo's myself.

The key is to not tense up your shoulders.

The degree of discomfort varies per person. The good thing is, any discomfort is brief and temporary.

Take a pain reliever about an hour before your appointment (ibuprofin or tylenol is adequate) and don't have any caffeine for 5 days prior to your appointment to help. (If you can stand it.)

Getting called back is common.

I had a lump in my breast. Was referred to have an ultrasound and then because the results weren't conclusive had a mammogram. Yes, it is uncomfortable and maybe even a little painful. I would take some ibuprofen before hand just like the above poster suggested.

She would know best! That's her job.

It isn't anything insanely painful.

had my first one last year. i was 33 at the time and my mother found her cancer at 49. so technically they might not have given me one till 39. i thought i was going to have to demand one but my doctor agreed that it was time.

i found the most uncomfortable part was the inclusion of the tissue that continues under your arm but like others have said, the discomfort is temporary and such a small price to pay for taking charge of our own health.




the funny part was watching my boobs go further and further way past the lines on the mammo platform thingy. i've got rather big boobs and when they squished 'em, they squished 'em good!!

I had one at age 24. I have huge breasts so maybe that's the reason it didn't hurt.

I want to remind ladies to not only have this done NO MATTER WHAT AGE YOU ARE as well as get regular pap smears.

Stymie said:

Many thanks for all the advice and tips...its all taken on board!