Janepie33 Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Have just been summoned for my first mammogram tomorrow. Quick question........... do they squish them vertically or horizontally?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 I always had this terror that they would squash them so much that they would stay flat and I would have to roll them up back into my bra. They didn't, and they were the same when I left as when I went in. The nurses were brisk, kind & efficient, perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 Oh joy. Really looking forward to that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 When do you get called for a mammogram? I've got a few years yet til I even get called for a smear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted August 7, 2011 Author Share Posted August 7, 2011 Mammograms at 50. Smears at 24/ 25 I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Mammograms at 50. Smears at 24/ 25 I think. 25, yeah, although I wouldn't mind both being earlier! (call me paranoid). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Where I live it's '50 or the next time the mobile clinic comes round after your 50th birthday' - I actually got called last year at 49 and was told I'm lucky because they're not due back for another three years. It's uncomfortable but not painful, and the nurses are lovely so don't have any hesitation about going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 I got called for the first time this year too and i must admit i was slightly terrified If you squish your boob it hurts right? Dont worry, its not that bad. your breast is only squished the hardest for the few seconds it takes the nurse to move from you to the button, literally seconds. It is uncomfortable but not as bad as i thought and definately worth having done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 I saw it done on the telly once and thought it looked like it hurt - so I squished mine as hard as I could myself to see if it did - it felt like an electric shock! But nothing one couldn't cope with. Yes, I'm a little bit strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Where I live it's '50 or the next time the mobile clinic comes round after your 50th birthday' - I actually got called last year at 49 and was told I'm lucky because they're not due back for another three years. That's terrible Our local morrisons permanently has a mammogram van outside it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 I think it may hurt more the younger you are, once breastfeeding and gravity have had their wicked ways, breasts are decidely more squishable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 It's always worth going for smears as soon as possible, however the value of mammograms for the under 50s (or pre-menopausal) is questionable - the breast tissue is far denser prior to the menopause so the scanned pictures are not always as accurate as they could be. Only worth trying if you are high risk because of family history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Only worth trying if you are high risk because of family history. Yep, I've been having them annually for the past 15 years due to that reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 I've had it done as I have very lumpy boobs and they do squash them both ways. It can be very uncomfortable if you do have lots of cysts like I do but it is over and done with really quickly. The nurses have always been really lovely though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 If you are called for a mammogram - don't ignore it ever I am on my 3rd one and I was called back - I had to go for a biopsy and then another biopsy both machine biopsies and then for an operation for a wide local excision - I had DCIS Duct cancer in situ - meaning bad cells in a milk duct turned into cancer cells and contained - I had this from 1st may mammorgram and operation on 2nd June and radiotherapy starting in September for 15 days after I come back from holidays - this part is belt and braces and I hope that this is the end of it - they will look after me every year now and I think we are so lucky in this part of the world - my cells were 6mm in size - so thankfully the radiographer reading it was on the ball as there was nothing to feel. Ladies it is worth the squeeze! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Blackrocksrock, just to say I hope all goes well wth your treatment. It sounds as if you've had a traumatic time and I hope it's all over for you now.I hope you don't have too far to travel as I can imagine this will be exhausting for you. Good luck & best wishes. Alli xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 I am so positive as this was caught early and I unfortunately have to travel 60 miles there and same back each day for about 5 mins treatment. It will be fine though as I am still here and clear thank goodness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Blackrocksrock you've been through the mill lately, but that is really good news that it was caught so early and has been well managed! It is still very scary and the treatment isn't pleasant, but the outlook sounds good and it is so important to keep positive as you are doing and look forward to the future! I know several ladies who have been through the same thing - caught early due to mammogram, had treatment and now back on fine form. Far better the discomfort of the squish than not to have it found until much later on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Agree Olly, you are lucky they found it Blackrocksrock. I hope the treatments not too hard on you. You can prepare for a mammogram Janepie33, just trap your breast in the fridge door a few times and it won't be nearly as bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 You can prepare for a mammogram Janepie33, just trap your breast in the fridge door a few times and it won't be nearly as bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Smears earlier in Scotland...I think 20...mammograms 50 though. I have only found it to be a bit uncomfortable, as it is only for a short period of time that you are squashed. A friend of mine who is very slight says she finds it painful as they try to pull the breast tissue to get it in the machine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 Smears earlier in Scotland...I think 20... Yes, Scotland and Wales do their smear tests earlier - there's a campaign for it to happen here too - as 23 is too long to wait to screen, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 I had my first time last month and I am 51 nope I didn't feel a thing OH has caused me more pain when he elbows me in his sleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 2 years to go for me... not bothered about the discomfort; as Snowy has said, early detection is essential. Re Smears, I think that the lower age threshold combined with the 3 yearly recall is far too late and infrequent. A friend's daughter had her first smear last year (it was clear), had 'problems' about 9 months later, went to the doctor and had pre-cancerous cervical cells. It's a deeply unpleasant test but worth getting done yearly if you can; I have had problems in the past and am so happy now that i am 'spayed' and no longer have to worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
