# Update on mammograms **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 18, 2004, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-mammograms/275398 "2004-11-18T02:03:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-mammograms/275398/1 "2004-11-18T02:03:04Z")
I did it.I got my first mammogram today at age justabout 46. I was aprehensive, but I can report it DID hurt a little it, sortof pinchy, but it lasted only 5 seconds. They take 4 pictures. They said the pictures came out nice and clear and would send letter results to me and dr. I assume this is good, as if they had found something bad, they may have told me to get in touch with my dr. There has been no breast cancer that I am aware of in my family. If you haven’t gotten one, do it now, its worth it, and its not bad at all. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-mammograms/275398/2 "2004-11-18T03:22:07Z")
Good for you! Regardless of what the images show, the person administering the test will not inform you of the results; they may not be an expert in intepreting them. The better places will have two different people review the films before the results are sent out. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-mammograms/275398/3 "2004-11-18T03:48:47Z")
YAY for healthy boobies! ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-mammograms/275398/4 "2004-11-18T03:53:19Z")
When do they recommend starting mams? I just turned 34 and have no plans to even think about any squashy picture thingies coming near my rack for at least another 6 years? Fair enough? ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-mammograms/275398/5 "2004-11-18T03:55:56Z")
They say ago 40, unless you have a history of women in your family who have gotten breast cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-mammograms/275398/6 "2004-11-18T03:59:55Z")
Oh good. Thank you **Vanilla**. I don’t think I’ve got any BC in my family. But with a rack like mine, I’m not looking forward to the exam. I’ve heard that more well-endowed women suffer more pain. I’d say I fit into that category. If you don’t mind me asking, what category would you put yourself in (of course, only asking as a relative pain comparison)? ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-on-mammograms/275398/7 "2004-11-18T04:06:56Z")
I dunno. I think I am a 36 B/C (one is a B, the other C) I would say small. As for the pain, its just the squashing which hurts a bit, but not for long. The up & down shots hurt more than the sideways ones. But like I said, its worth it, doesn’t last but a few seconds.