my first ever mammogram

[dot.hawkes]

hI guys, i have to go to this travelling clinic type thing for my first ever mamogram and i am really a bit panicy, i haven't had anything much wrong with me health wise that a few tablets couldn't cure, apart from my thyroid of course, and my broken toes, lol, I havn't had anyone in my immediate familyh that has had any breat cancer or any breat abnormalities, (that i am aware of) but it isn't something i have ever considered. I have been sent a booklet about it and it is quite blunt about the fact it can be upsetting, has anyone else had one of these X rays and is it something that i should seriously fear? i am a toughie usually but this is getting to me.

[Noz Namod]

Can't speak from personal experience, but I have heard it can be a bit painful when they sandwich your booby in the machine ... I think it's worse if you're an 'ironing board', because they have to find something to grab hold of ...

Not very technical, I know ... sorry.

[cliffsweb]

i wouldnt say it was scary dot, its more embaressing than anything, i go for my smear test on tuesday, imagine lying there legs wide open while nurse probes about down there, that is gross, very embaressing.

just close your eyes and imagine you're on a sunny beach somewhere, itll be over in no time,
lots of luck.

[dot.hawkes]

oh naz i will be ok then i am a 36c, lol

[Noz Namod]

Just thought I'd add ... it's better to go through an uncomfortable test than it is not to ... if you get what I mean?

[Robinia]

hi dot - I had my first one last year & I felt the same - except we have had breast cancer in all generations.
Being one of the last in the queue when bazooms (as neti calls 'em) were handed out I was afraid I'd have too little mammo to gram. However they were really nice nurses & despite being a bit uncomfy it was all over in about 10 mins. Best advice I can give you is relax, don't try & pull back - which was my instinct.
You'll be fine. My results were ok, thank goodness.

[raysparx1]

Hello dot, my wife had to have a mammogram when she was a bit worried about the way one of her breasts felt, hers turned out to be breast cancer, she was not old enough for it otherwise, but she said it did hurt,as if it was being squashed, but it was soon over and better safe than sorry, good luck and don't worry, you'll be fine as you say, you are a tough old bird, well, not old, take care, Ray xx

[wonderwoman1]

Dot, my godmother had breast cancer 6 years ago, and I remember asking her about the mammogram...she said it isnt the most pleasant experience in the world and it can be painful, she said she was a bit bruised after it. If it saves lives i think its worth the pain though. Good luck.

[Eve]

It'll be fine, having recently been to see breast specialists for my own reasons I can honestly say that they are some of the loveliest people. They seemed to be fully aware how scary it was to go through finding a lump and I'm sure they're much the same in standard scanning esp for first timers.

It may not be the most comfortable thing to have done but it's so worth having done so anything that may need to be picked up can be picked up and acted upon accordingly.

I guess it's like having a smear test regularly to check all is ok in that dept.

If you're feeling uneasy about it then is there someone who can come with you, you could even mention to the staff youre feeling a bit worried so they can help put your mind at rest.

It may be an idea to ask them to show you how to examine yourself properly while you're there so you can keep up the checks yourself.

[dot.hawkes]

i am not the best of patients actually, i once had to go for an endoscomy and i would not let them do it so they gave me a tablet and when I woke up about 15 mins later my bloke was at my bedside and i said thank god it is over, and he said , 'You wouldn't let them do it!' apparently they gave me a rohipnatol type thing andf i was concious but still fought them, and i have no recollection of it, I am abit nowty when i am compus mentis but apparently just the same when sedated.

[B00]

Can't really help with your Q, actually I can't help at all!!!, just wanted to say you'll be fine- keep ya chin up girl, you've nothing to worry about :-)

[Redbel]

Dot,
I can't say I know much about mammograms......But I am dreading finding any kind of lump in my breasts as I have a family history two cousins found lumps in their breasts one had a mastectomy.....and one passed away....but can I say it was not through her finding the lump....it was because of something else.
Dot, I know you must feel a bit apprehensive about going....but I'm sure things will be fine xx

[battersby]

If you're really nervous dot. You can ask about "Thermal Imagary". Like an x ray where infra red lights show up anything abnormal. Depending on where you live,there may be a clinic near you. Daisy.

[Athley]

You may experience a little discomfort and maybe some bruising afterwards. Do you have any arnica gel that will help with the bruising. My mum had one a few years ago and she found it to be a bit uncomfortable, she had a call back but it turned out her breast tissue was still firm for her age and had appeared to be like small cysts. She was very relieved of course to find out she was OK.

Good luck with yours I'm sure it will be fine.

[ELVIS68]

I`m pants at this type of thing but...as you say..you`re usually a toughie...so be tough and good luck


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGvkJEKCrhg

[Mammar]

Don't worry, Dot.
The fear of what's going to happen is much worse than the event. Trust me - I've had several!
And we're all behind you - well, figuratively speaking.

[Xray]

I am one of those nice ladies who give you a squeeze! Hundreds of ladies have literally passed thro' my hands and most of them are terrified the first time. None of us want to be told bad news but believe me it is better to find breast cancer in its early stages when it can mostly be cured than wait until you find a lump. Then the chances of a cure are good these days but not as good as when you get in early. DO GO! You will find the radiographers sympathetic & the other 'customers' very supportive.

[shaneystar2]

Please try not to worry about it Dot ..it's a bit uncomfortable depending on the size of your bazooms (to quote Neti) and depending on who you get that's shoving them in the pancake maker.I had one where I came out having not felt a thing and another when I felt as if I had been put through the mangle .
Get someone to go with you if you can .It's all over in ten minutes and as the old saying goes ..prevention is better than cure.Just relax ...you will be fine.

[Dollie]

Hello Dot, I'm a 'big' girl (36DD) and it wasn't painful when I had it done. My sister has two fried eggs and she said it hurt a lot, but I didn't find that at all. Good luck, Doll x