I have my first mammogram ever today.

[Bbbananas]

I hear it's uncomfortable rather than painful. But they squash your breasts between two plates. Breast screening is a wonderful thing, and good to know that in our area now they have extended the age limit to include those in their late 40's (I am not 50 yet - that used to be the starting age).

Any tips for me ladies? Should I have a gin beforehand?

[Bbbananas]

"Hurts like hell"
thanks for that TOH !!!

I am actually keen to have it done. Well, was anyway ;-)

[rowanwitch]

Mc Mouse reminds me of a joke...may post it later but this is serious stuff... and can I remind all the men to have a feel of themselves now and again breast cancer is not just for women.......

[DEN53]

I don't think it hurts like hell - bit uncomfortable, mostly because you have to stand in an ackward position....(:0)

[Bbbananas]

Don't you just hate it when you have to adopt an awkward position - at my advancing age and with my back, that can become quite distracting...

[cc1]

When I had my first mammogram, the technician and I agreed that if men had someting similar, a more comfortable way would be found. Gents, imagine your most private part being clamped into a toasted sandwich maker and rotated, you'll get some idea!

[McMouse]

cc1....you sure know how to ruin a coffee.

[woofgang]

men do get mammograms, the tech told me when i asked. The sad bit is that as well as being very painful for them as they have little tissue, they are only done when the diagnosis of breast cancer is certain or almost certain :-(

[Sqad]

wwofgang

<<<they are only done when the diagnosis of breast cancer is certain or almost certain :-<<

Interesting post......there are many doctors who would argue that this should also be the case with women.

[237SJ]

I read that some people in the medical world said that a lot of breast surgery is unnecessary but who would want to sit back and find out by leaving a lump that has been found to be malignant and not taking it out?

[rowanwitch]

It is often the patient who presses for lumpectomy 'just to be certain' despite diagnostic imaging and biopsy samples showing a benign condition.... Irrational fears make people do pretty dumb things....I'd rather have a tame lump than another scar

[Sqad]

237SJ.......just to put it another way:

Who would want breast surgery for a malignant tumour of the breast which was unlikely to be the cause of your death?

[237SJ]

Well, if it`s "unlikely" to cause my death, then there must be an element of "possibility" so yes, maybe. Depending on my age of course. If I was 90 I might not bother!

[rowanwitch]

In very elderly patients drug/hormone therapies might be used rather than risk surgery on the basis the patient will quite likely die of old age before the cancer becomes a problem

[Sqad]

237SJ

The thread basically is about breast screening and my comments are directed to this point.

The data collected over recent years indicates that fast- growing tumours can reach a deadly stage in between screening visits and slow-growing tumours that do not spread are unlikely to kill the sufferer.

[arwyn]

My Mam had her's 3 years ago (not her 1st) and they found cancer which would never have been found by hand as it was so far in so no lump. She's just had her 3 year check and she is fine.
She has us 3 daughters and 3 granddaughters so none of us will ever miss ours when they start. I'll be the 1st as I'm 48.