What do I need to know before my 1st mammogram?

That's total nonsense.

I've had 4 now - piece of cake.
I don't think they are painful in the slightest, I wouldn't even call them uncomfortable. Listen to what they say, stand how they tell you, don't move and it will all be over in 10 mins.

Don't wear any deodorant or cologne.

The tech will tell you what to do. It's pressure and hold your breath. It doesn't take as long as it used to!

I was so scared to go I put it off 2 years. My friend told me it was the worst experience of her life. I went and it was no big deal. I have very small boobs and it was not painful at all. I laughed afterwards at how I worried for nothing.

Lovely bedside manner from whoever told you that all those years ago. 

It's not 100% comfortable of course, but it isn't painful. The only time I've heard people say that it might hurt is if it's the week before their period. If that week bothers you normally then don't schedule the mammogram for then. 

Otherwise it's pretty fast. They put the two plates down to squish you, then take the image, and release the plates. So it's not like you're hanging there for ages. ack! lol    (my horror emoticon is for the idea of hanging there for ages, lol, not for the actual mammogram).

^^^ that. I know everyone is different in how the size of the breasts and density of the breast tissue affect the mammogram's 'discomfort' shall we say, but relax, stand still, and stand how they tell you to, and it's typically only a minute or two of discomfort. I find that it's easier for me to stand still when I hold my breath for those few seconds.  ETA:  the rooms are typically nice and warm where I go, and so are the plates on the mammogram machine, so it's not even uncomfortable because of that.

AND, the main thing is, as my older sister- who would know- says, 'I'll take a mammogram over chemotherapy any day.'

I've had mammograms since I was 28 and they're typically one of the quickest, easiest diagnostic screening tests I ever have. (wow- I'm 48, now, so I've had mammograms for 20 years-- that means it's been 20 years since my sister's breast cancer was diagnosed and successfully treated!!)

I hate how women do this to each other!
My mammogram was totally painless, nothing to worry about at all.

The biggest surprise for me was that you can't wear deodorant or powder, so make sure you bring some for after

So funny thing, I've NEVER been told not to wear deodorant. I've had 2 now, going for the 3rd one soon. I have large breasts, and never had any issues. The only uncomfortable part for me is someone being all up in my grill. But the girls have always been really nice and there's never an issue.

Could not agree with this more. The Tecs are wonderful, and will continually follow up during the 10 minute procedure to make sure you're comfortable or at least can handle it long enough to get what they need.



Oh man, this happened to me. My first time out, they saw some dense tissue and wanted a follow up. I didn't tell anyone as there is a big history of cancer in my family and didn't want to worry anyone. It wasn't until I went off on someone for something innocuous that I understood how worried I was. Went in and it was indeed nothing, just dense tissue.

The next time I went in they were offering the 3D mammograms and I opted to pay the difference. They were able to tell right away the dense tissue and the tec actually said, I bet you got called in for that. With the 3D we can tell right away there's nothing to worry about.

I'm on what I'd call the medium side, it's not painful at all (Not compared to the dentist anyways) though my friends who are less endowed tell me it's more painful for them but not in a horrid kind of way. My boss (who is not only less endowed, but short) says her issue is they can't get the machine low enough for her to stand properly to get the image.

The pulling and tugging of the tissue to get enough to put on the machine is the most uncomfortable part, but it's not painful by any means. And if you're large chested, you don't even have much pulling or tugging.

I have had several and I've never had one hurt. There have been a couple of uncomfortable moments, but not in a uncomfortable-is-a-euphemism-for-painful way. 

Of all the routine things I have to have done, this is the easiest. Way easier than a dental checkup. Hell, even easier than getting my hair cut. I tend to tangle

I had my first this spring. I didn't find it painful at all. The uncomfortable parts only last for several seconds, and then it's over.

I did get called back for further imaging and ultrasound because I have dense breasts AND because they needed baseline imaging because of that. So, don't be scared if they call you back in.

I have to go for a followup in November (6 month mark) for more imaging to make sure nothing has changed (dense breasts = harder to see stuff), but if all is good then can return to annual screening.

Depends on the person. For me, it's painful af.

I posted about mine here: 2peasrefugees.boards.net/thread/61464/first-mammogram

More info from other peas on that one, too.