Mammogram

[ashanti1922]

I am 32 and I am going for my first mammogram. I discovered a small lump and my gyno wants me to go and check it out. What should I expect from the visit? A little scared, but not really.

[knitstuff]

I just had my first mammogram a few months ago due to a lump I found. Here's what I remember.

What they will first do is a manual exam, so that they can mark where the lump is. Next, you'll go into the room where the mammogram machine is. You'll be standing as they take the films, btw. They'll probably take multiple views, and it shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes. The feel of getting your boobs squished isn't that bad, I just found it annoying.

Hope everything comes out clear! I know that it is a scary feeling not knowing what is going on. My lumps just turned out to be limpomas, which are just fatty cysts. I also had a ultrasound, just to make sure.

HTH,
Jen

[ashanti1922]

I appreciate you!

[knitstuff]

Glad I could help! I ended up sleeping about 12 hours straight after mine because I had let myself get so stressed out, LOL!

Jen

[YellowRoseTex]

:hellowave
I had my first mammogram at the age of 32 because my doc felt some lumps. I was scared also. The test itself was a bit painful, but everything came out all clear. I did find out that I have fiberous breasts, that is why they felt so lumpy.

I found the techs to be very gentle and calming. They know that this is a scarey time for a woman and they know that the test isn't the most pleasant. For the test, you will be standing, facing a machine, where your breast will be placed on a plate. The tech will position the breast in the right place, than another plate will come down on top of the breast to squish it. The tech will instruct you not to move, than go back into another room. Than she'll come back out and do the other breast.

You will probably be advised to wait in the waiting room until they check the pics to be sure they received good images.

Good luck on the mammogram. Do let us know how it goes. :grouphug:

[ashanti1922]

thanks I feel better

[lilorphann]

I have had 2 solid masses removed from my right breast and each time after the mammo I had an ultrasound (just like what is done to see a baby when you are preg.) done. The ultrasound was more accurate and they were able to measure the size of the mass. I had my first one when I was 21 and the second when I was 30.
My most recent mammo, done a month ago was a digital, high-tech one and I did not have much of the normal "boob" pain that is normally associated.

[jannmc]

Since your question has already been answered, I would like to say good luck.

[Mori]

I'm going for my first mamogram on Monday Feb.20 & I admit that I'm a bit nervous.

[Duchesslady]

Hi mori

I had two in September last year as I have suspected Breast Cancer so they did one then - its just a bit uncomfortable thats all - leaves your boobs a bit red afterwards but wears off pretty quickly - better to be safe than sorry! :)

However I have to go back every three months for one, next one is on 28th Feb, my birthday!

Take care and dont worry and any questions or worries please PM me!

Love Duchesslady :queen:

[Fldtrlady]

At best the mamogram is a bit on the uncomfortable side. But not to worry, I am quite sure they have not lost a patient yet to mamogram pain. Just bear in mind that to get the best picture, they have to place you just right. My best advice is to put up with it. Also, ask questions. Most of the techs are wonderful. Mine have always been women and they are trained to discuss the process with you and to explain what is happening. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to ask to speak with the Radiologist or have that person call you. You can also request a copy of the report from your referring doctor. If you do not already perform a monthly self breast exam, ask for information and instructions so that you can get started. Its very important.

[Beachgirl]

Been getting yearly mammograms since age 30, my mother is a breast cancer survivor.

Frankly it's just another test. Okay, it is one where they place your breast between to acrylic paddles and squeeze the living hell out of it. :eek:
But that's it.

Not to worry, I have yet to find a radiology tech in this field that is not kind & gentle as they can be. :cool:

[Mori]

I went to my appointment & had my fIrst mamogram.:flipcake: My poor boobs were smashed, but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined & I'm glad it's over & done with. My doctor should have the results in a week. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. :thankyou:

[magandab]

I have been mammo'd to death lately! LOL I had my first ever "suspicious" mammogram last December (age 53) so they redid that, then an ultrasound. Nothing showed on the ultrasound so they did a stereotactic biopsy where you lay face down on a table with your boob hanging through a hole, and it's then clamped between mammo paddles so they can locate the exact spot and do the biopsy. That result was benign, but the surgeon didn't like some of the results so yesterday I had a wire guided surgical biopsy. More squishing, locating and pictures! Anyway, yes, I'm sore from the surgery, but this is a long way of saying that through all of this, the anticipation and dread was FAR FAR worse than the actual tests. Do what I do, give yourself a birthday gift every year; pick up the phone and schedule the mammo. At least I know if there is something bad in there, it was found early!

[abbie0407blue]

My last one was the first time they had to take magnified views. I have another one in June. I find it very scary even though I have a low risk factor. Just another thing that women have to endure, I guess.

[Mori]

I'm very worried because the "Radiology department" where I had my "Mamogram" on Monday called today & they're asking I have an "ultrasound" now, for a better view! :eek:

[Hope]

Mori, if you have dense breasts, they often need an ultra-sound to give them a better view of the breasts. When do you have the ultra-sound? It may be nothing, so please try not to stress about it. When I had my very first mammogram, they needed an ultra-sound which really petrified me. They did the ultra-sound immediately, and said I was fine. I hope and pray that you get the same results.

[Mori]

Thanks for replying & for the encouragement. I don't have an appointment but have to wait for the Hospital's Breast Center to call me in 2-3 weeks! I'll be so nervous untill I have the ultrasound over & done with! Thanks again. :thankyou:

[YellowRoseTex]

Hi Mori,
I would think if it was an emergency they would get you in immediately, not have you wait 2-3 weeks just to get a call to schedule an appt. I would suggest that you call your doctor to discuss with him/her.

Many years ago, I was sent immediately for an ultrasound when my doctor felt a lump. All came back clear. :thumbsup:

[lilorphann]

Each time I have had an ultrasound it was to get a better view of the tumors; it allows the doc to see the size and shape better to determine what other procedure, if any, is needed. I even asked for and got the ultrasound pics of my tumors each time.

Good luck with everything!

[Kate]

Mori, where I work, the doctor will do a sonogram just to make sure. When the xrays are in question, our radiologists just like to double check to make sure. I saw one today. Everything was clear. I think nowadays they are just extra careful!

[gitzme]

I've just had a mammo and additional views done last week. Radiologist has found 2 "suspicious" calcium deposits in right breast not in my last mammo 1 year ago, so now I'm scheduled to meet with a breast surgeon next week. I really don't know what to expect, but I'm positive and hoping for the best. At least if it is malignant, I'm hoping it's early stages. Wish me luck!

[She_Ra]

I read an email joke once that told women how to prepare for a mamogram...the line I remember is to open the refrigerator door, gently slide one breast up against the side of the fridge where the door normally closes and then slam the door repeatedly. I've never forgotten that joke but the reality of it is mamogram's really aren't that bad. I just had my first one two weeks ago (it came back clean, yeah!). To say it isn't a bit uncomfortable would be a lie and everyone's discomfort threshhold is different...I will say for the side to side "smash" she had to remind me to start breathing again after I held my breath---that was kind of funny! I think I just focused on the fact that whatever I faced from the mammogram was tons better than what I might have to face if I put it off...

Good luck!

[Mori]

I had the option to have the ultrasound this week but would have to pay $130, or wait for the Hospital breast center to call me in 2-3 weeks to schedule the appointment. I chose to wait for the hospital, not only to avoid the cost, but thinking it would be better at the hospital's breast center. That way if more tests are needed, I'll be right there. Did I make a mistake in waiting? :confused:

[knitstuff]

ashanti1922,

How did it go?

Jen

[Docklady]

:eek: I had my first mammogram last year at age 54! I was supprised to hear I had a small lump.The mammogram was no big deal.The only thing I could tell you about that was it didnt hurt and I am a size 40.They said its not supposed to hurt and if it does tell them,I had a follow up with a specialist and they didnt even think it was big enough to draw fluid from.I was horrified until they told me that.Good luck.

[bkteller]

Ok sis, why didn't I know about this?