# Mammograms. I mean, mammodamns. Damnograms! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 30, 2006, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605 "2006-03-30T21:31:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/101 "2006-04-04T19:18:20Z")
I have to echo **jsgoddess** - in the grand scheme of things, it’s really not that bad, compared to the other horrendous tests out there for gals. Also, it doesn’t take very long. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/102 "2006-04-04T19:35:02Z")
Just in case anyone wants to see examples of mammography in action(maybe not safe for work, but certainly not erotic) you can find some small pictures [on a sub-page of the site **Mehitabel** linked to.](http://www.xtronics.net/xtromam.htm) The third one looks very uncomfortable! Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/103 "2006-04-04T22:05:11Z")
Gotta give the site a little credit for being truthful – they don’t have the models sporting happy, happy smiles. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/104 "2006-04-04T23:18:49Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I have to echo **jsgoddess** - in the grand scheme of things, it’s really not that bad, compared to the other horrendous tests out there for gals. Also, it doesn’t take very long. And I’ll add, they smash 'em hard, but mine didn’t pop so it wasn’t _that_ hard. I wouldn’t avoid getting one, but I wouldn’t look forward to it either. I echo whoever said they’d rather have a mammogram than a pap. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/105 "2006-04-04T23:59:35Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > And: when the HELL is someone going to invent a better exam? . I heard tonight they were testing a blood test. ---
**Author:** ![BethCro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cdc98d/32.png) [@BethCro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BethCro)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/106 "2006-04-05T03:51:17Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > Just in case anyone wants to see examples of mammography in action(maybe not safe for work, but certainly not erotic) you can find some small pictures [on a sub-page of the site **Mehitabel** linked to.](http://www.xtronics.net/xtromam.htm) The third one looks very uncomfortable! > > Enjoy, > Steven I’m not looking!!I’ve learned my lesson. I’d prefer it to be a pleasant surprise … perhaps they’re trying out a new version which uses down pillows! And ty to js, alice and indy … perhaps I might actually show up. Depending on how the morning’s result on the hazy cornea goes. I swear, it never rains but it pours (and living in OK can back that up with weather data - either have burn ban because of no rain, or severe storms cause of too much … let’s have a happy medium!) ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/107 "2006-04-05T04:29:16Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > they don’t have the models sporting happy, happy smiles. Looks like a smashing good time to me. Okay, I’m headed to hell for that one. In all seriousness, ouch. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/108 "2006-04-05T11:41:23Z")
Yep, picture #3 was what my machine was like. You know those prison movies where the con grabs the guard through the bars by the arm and pulls him in so he can take his gun? Well, the plexiglass is the bars and it ain’t your arm that’s being pulled… ---
**Author:** ![BethCro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cdc98d/32.png) [@BethCro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BethCro)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/109 "2006-04-07T03:17:22Z")
Well, that wasn’t too bad at all! It was all over in about 5 mins, and didn’t hurt at all, slightly uncomfortable, but no big deal. Phew! ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/110 "2006-04-07T11:11:46Z")
Mine’s scheduled for next week - I was surprised that the card they gave me specified “no caffeine” the day before. Is that for my comfort, or b/c it intereferes w/the test somehow? And had my Pap - reminded me of the worst thing about the Pap (this one wasn’t so bad). I used to hate having my appointment over lunch & going back to work with “squish-squish-squish” all afternoon :D. TMI, but amusing (I hope). ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/111 "2006-04-07T17:39:53Z")
The article I posted earlier dosn’t know how the “no caffine” bit got started. They looked at this variable and found that the no-caffine instructions were roundly ignored and that it doesn’t seem to make any difference anyway. If there are some other studies I’ll be happy to listen, but I doubt that caffine makes any appreciable difference. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/112 "2006-04-07T21:57:26Z")
I was told way back in high school that caffeine can contribute to fibrous breast tissue, or make it worse. Gah. I am 38 and my doctor’s appointment this year is next week, oh joy. But my friend Colleen just had a long run of chemo that moved on to a radical mastectomy last week, and she has more chemo coming… I am more than happy to get a mammogram if that’s what my doc suggests. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/113 "2006-04-07T22:41:59Z")
> [@fessie](#): > > Mine’s scheduled for next week - I was surprised that the card they gave me specified “no caffeine” the day before. Is that for my comfort, or b/c it intereferes w/the test somehow? > > And had my Pap - reminded me of the worst thing about the Pap (this one wasn’t so bad). I used to hate having my appointment over lunch & going back to work with “squish-squish-squish” all afternoon :D. TMI, but amusing (I hope). I hadn’t heard the no-caffeine recommendation before. All they told me was not to wear deodorant because it can cause some false readings of calcium deposits (?). Paps…Ugh. I could start another thread on that, but since we’re already here… space in case you don’t wish to read further… Mine didn’t go very well. They couldn’t even complete it. It wasn’t the examiner’s fault; there’s just, umm, how do I say this? Not much room at the inn. It stung and even spotted a bit for a while later. They’re referring me to an OB GYN for another try. Dammit. ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2006, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/114 "2006-04-09T05:52:15Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > I hadn’t heard the no-caffeine recommendation before. All they told me was not to wear deodorant because it can cause some false readings of calcium deposits (?). > > Paps…Ugh. I could start another thread on that, but since we’re already here… > > space in case you don’t wish to read further… > > Mine didn’t go very well. They couldn’t even complete it. It wasn’t the examiner’s fault; there’s just, umm, how do I say this? Not much room at the inn. It stung and even spotted a bit for a while later. They’re referring me to an OB GYN for another try. Dammit. Poor **Vivalostwages**! I totally sympathize because, as I’ve posted about when it happened, I’ve had some really bad GYN exams: the doctor couldn’t FIND my cervix; three different speculums were used, the last of which while inserting caught and pinched me (so not pleasant!!). _sighs_ I am so not looking forward to my next GYN exam! ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/115 "2006-04-11T22:41:31Z")
Couldn’t find your cervix? Was he blind?!? No offense to your doc, but unless you are a VERY special kind of girl, the hey-hey deadends at the cervix! Kind of hard to miss it! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/116 "2006-04-11T23:58:33Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > Couldn’t find your cervix? Was he blind?!? No offense to your doc, but unless you are a VERY special kind of girl, the hey-hey deadends at the cervix! Kind of hard to miss it! > > 😉 Is the hey-hey the same thing as a hoo-hah? ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/117 "2006-04-12T00:32:56Z")
> [@tarragon918](#): > > the doctor couldn’t FIND my cervix; Couldn’t find your cervix? Ummmm, where was he looking, the back of your throat? Did you suggest that he try looking around for it near the top of your vagina? ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2006, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/118 "2006-04-13T09:36:45Z")
> [@threemae](#): > > Couldn’t find your cervix? Ummmm, where was he looking, the back of your throat? Did you suggest that he try looking around for it near the top of your vagina? I should have made that a bit more clear - the doctor found it, but couldn’t get a swab from it. Hence the three different speculums. “I can see it … I just can’t reach it,” or something like that. Strange thing, though, when I made an appointment with a different OB-GYN, he didn’t have any problems. Over the years, I’ve had several “inconclusive” results, making for more frequent visits - and all because they probably hadn’t taken the swab from the cervix, apparently. OTOH, maybe it’s time to switch health plans! ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2006, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605/119 "2006-04-13T20:23:55Z")
I had my first mammogram this morning & thought about this thread. My experience today wasn’t bad at all, really - the room was just a normal office suite, it wasn’t particularly cold, and the tech was very efficient. Whole thing was done in 15 minutes - we even re-took the very first shot, something about eliminating a shadow. Either I wasn’t standing quite close enough to the machine the first time, or she saw something when she went to review the pix (which she couldn’t possibly tell me, “the radiologist would have a cow”) and wanted a clearer picture. On the pain scale, I’d rate wearing high heels to the mall as much, much worse. Or plucking the eybrows. Squeezing into tight jeans. Maybe part of that was b/c of this thread - I was glad to know that 40 lbs. of pressure equals a significantly better reading. We went to 44 lbs. no sweat. When being uncomfortable actually **means** something, it’s much easier to tolerate. The tech corroborated the earlier post about pressure, BTW. She said that when the lab employees do each other, they take it up to 60 lbs. or so. One of the women there had had a double mastectomy, and they’d found the cancer. That gave them all motivation to really push it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mammograms-i-mean-mammodamns-damnograms/350605.md?page=5)