I’ve got nothing else to add except that my sister and I have both had lumps that turned out to be benign. Yours will probably be the same.
I got a letter from my HMO nagging me to make an appointment this week. I’ll make the phone call on my day off, Wednesday. I promise!
Men need to get them as well, right, except it’s difficult and less of an issue?
I have heard of men getting breast cancer, (didn’t Montel Williams have it?) but unless there’s a history, I don’t know of a doctor recommending one as part of your health maintenance. I would think for a man, since there’s nothing to squish (if you’re not horribly overweight, that is) X-rays would suffice?
Can someone here weigh in on the pain level associated with this procedure, and on squeezing breasts in general? I know what it feels like to squeeze my own breasts, but it’s not really the same thing, right? I mean, I understand it’s not on par with putting your balls in a vice, but I don’t have a clear concept on the pain threshold of breasts.
Sorry for the hijack, not trying to be a boob (heh), just realized that in many places I’ve heard pain-level stories of dudes getting whacked in the junk, but not much about the breastal region.
How to describe it? Well, it’s not like being kicked in the balls, from what I understand.
Squishing, quite frankly, is the best way to describe it. The breast is positioned between two plates that are pressed together. The technician will position your breast for maximum coverage. It’s doesn’t really pinch, it’s like your breasts are caught in a vise.
Not the most comfortable experience, but it’s only for a few seconds. Bell, unless you are squeezing your girls between two cast iron skillets, you’re not getting close.
There’s quite a bit of pressure, but nothing I would actually call “pain”, and I’m a wimp. I understand it’s considerably less pleasant if you’re either very large-breasted (in which case they have to squish them more to get a good image), or very flat-chested (there’s nothin’ to squish!)
These “joke” emails you might get from time to time about “practicing” for your mammogram by laying on the driveway and letting a car park on your chest, well, they just piss me off. I’m always wondering how many women are scared off of having the first one done by these bits of stupidity and thoughtlessness.
Luckily, I happen to be on the small side of normal.
Ivylass I had the exact experience you had when I had my first mamo. Went in for a mamo, came out having had 2 mamos, an ultrasound, with a time and date for a biopsy the following week. I was like—stunned, didn’t know what to think.
But it all turned out okay, and my Dr eventually told me to look forward to more of the same because of the nature of my breast tissue, blah, blah, blah.
I’ve been back a couple of times since then, and all is good. So try not to let it freak you out or anything (though I’m not sure that advice would have reached me at the time), there’s plenty of time to get freaked after the news arrives, save your energy.
That said, what a good thread, I hope everyone goes.
Sure it’s not fun to get the girls squished–but it’s momentary and not horrible.
However.
The year my two cysts were found in my left breast, when the plates squished WOWZERS, I broke out in a sweat and squeaked out “Hurry!” Thankfully the technician did and she was kind enough to use less pressure in the second angle squish.
Gotta say I knew right then I had something in there. They are benign enough that so far no needle biopsy is required (although I keep expecting that to change).
Ivylass, are you having a needle biopsy or something different? My apologies if you already said that upthread.
I think it’s a needle biopsy. The radiologist said you lie tummy down on a table, with holes for the ladies to hang through (my friend said the technician kept adjusting her and she said she felt like she was getting milked 
) and they have the depth and location from the ultrasound so they know exactly where to put the needle. There will be a local used on the skin to numb it.
Stretteta? Does that sound right? Probably not.
Chiming in here - thanks for the reminder! I’m due for my annual pokin’ and proddin’ and then the tit-squishin. I’ll call Monday to schedule the pokin’ part; the squishin will be a month or so after that. Good luck with yours and I’m beaming “cyst” and “shadow? We must have been imagining things” vibes your direction.
A colleague’s daugher - a bit younger than I - is recovering from her 4th surgery in as many months. Biopsy said “cancer” so lumpectomy; margins weren’t clear so they did another lumpectomy that took more tissue, then the margins weren’t clear from that either so she found a new doctor who was horrified that they hadn’t done an MRI after the first surgery wasn’t successful; that MRI said bye-bye boobie. So 3rd surgery for mastectomy then 4th for reconstruction (and to yank the other boob at the same time; she opted for a preventive mastectomy given the history). At this point they think it’s all-clear. But it’s been a hellish few months. Not as hellish as things would have been if she hadn’t been getting the mammies grammed regular-like and the cancer’d had a chance to start eating her up, though.
I must comment - my boobs are, after years of being overweight and seesawing weight, and nursing 2 kids, rather droopy. I imagine this makes it easier; can’t imagine how they’d get perky tits into the steam press. I tell everyone I’ll just wait out in the waiting area and send my boobs in for the procedure.
It can be uncomfortable, but I’ve never had it go into true “ow ow OW OWWWWW” pain region, not by a long shot. Never elicited more than a grimace and a hope that it wouldn’t last to terribly long. And it’s quick; the pressure is only for about a minute per image. It is more pressure than any, er, recreational squeezing most folks would indulge in. I think that having droopy, not-so-dense boobs probably makes it easier though.
Never been whacked in the nuts personally, I can’t comment for sure, but I imagine that’s more painful than a mammogram.
ivylass, I hope everything turns out OK for you! I am past due for my first one, because I couldn’t do it while pregnant and nursing. I think I will make an appointment next week. Thank you!
When are you supposed to start getting them done (what age?) Assuming no family history.
Hope everything turns out well for you. I got called back for an odd pap smear once but it turned out fine. Hope you have the same.
Sending good vibes to you… Don’t worry too much.
My doc told me to start at 40.
Okey-dokey.
Here’s my only problem with getting a mammogram (well, several related problems):
I have no medical insurance, so all costs will be out of pocket
I am unemployed, and thus seriously short of funds.
If they did find something, how the fuck am I supposed to pay for it?
So, um, sure, I’ll just skip the rent for a month or three and give up eating… Og knows, I hate making these sorts of decisions but while I might develop some condition in the future I have to eat and pay rent NOW, no hypothetical about it.
(Greastest health system in the world my sweet @$$!)
The American Cancer Society funds mammography for low income women. You might try calling your local chapter to see what they might be able to do for you.
All I can say is that I was shocked about how flat breasts can get between those plates. Like pancakes. But surprisingly not as painful as I thought.
I got a baseline mammogram at 36, and my doctor told me at my last physical that I need to start getting them every two (?) years at 40.
I have no family history and my doctor still insisted on a baseline at 35. Once the twin cysts were discovered three years ago (at 45), I joined the every year club.