# mammogram

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammogram/205119>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 2, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammogram/205119 "2003-10-02T14:41:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammogram/205119/1 "2003-10-02T14:41:59Z")

</div>

Just had my yearly pap test and was given a referral for a mammogram.  
I’ve never had one, yet I am almost 45.  
The doctor said its uncomfortable!  
How uncomfortable?  
How much does it hurt and for how long?  
What exactly do they do?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammogram/205119/2 "2003-10-02T15:31:25Z")

</div>

The “uncomfortable” part relates to the fact that they press your breast between two metal plates to get the image. Exactly how uncomfortable that might be for you personally would depend on how sensitive your breasts are and how skillful the technician is. I wouldn’t let it keep you from going. The whole process only takes a minute or so.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammogram/205119/3 "2003-10-02T15:33:18Z")

</div>

What they do is take you to an xray machine that is made especially for xraying breasts. You stand in front of it, and there are plastic/metal plates on top and bottom that they use to squish your boob to get a good xray of it. So yeah, it can be a bit uncomfortable, but it only takes a few seconds for each boob, and then you are done.

The best time to go is a few days after your period is over.

It’s no big deal, really.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammogram/205119/4 "2003-10-02T15:34:09Z")

</div>

Oh, okay. About a minute then.  
I was apprehensive, though I know how important it is.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammogram/205119/5 "2003-10-02T15:41:17Z")

</div>

A pap test, in my opinion, is FAR more uncomfortable. A mammo is a walk in the park by comparison.