Mammograms

Hi J.. I have had a mammogram and yes they are painful, I'm not going to lie. However, they are over pretty quick and my experience is that the gals who are doing the mammogram really feel for you and are very helpful. I don't know if big breasts make a difference sorry. Good luck.
J.

Yes it is painful & very uncomfortable. They flatten it as flat as they can get it.. Mine were sore for almost a week after it.. I don't think it matters how big you are because they still are gonna see how much they can smash it down to nothing.. LOL Good Luck

I also have large breasts and can reassure you that although many people have told me that it is very painful, it's not bad at all. I have never felt "pain", but I can tell you that it can be a bit uncomfortable. You should be fine...good luck!

I haven't had the "painful" experience that some women describe. Yes, there is pressure. And, yes, if you are around your time of the month, it can be a bit more painful. However, with breast cancer concerns and such on the rise, there is no reason to not go in. You will be a bit uncomfortable, but given the possibilities, it is all worth it. Good luck!

Funny you would ask. I just had mine yesterday, my 2nd ever, and it was not that bad. They let's say "sandwich" one breast between a metal area and a plastic thing that is brought down to hold the breast in place. It's a little tight but not where I would say it hurt really bad. They do this with both breasts 4 times...two ways to xray the top and bottom and two ways to xray the sides. It think it took 5 minutes total to do both breasts, 10 minutes for the entire time. Waiting in the waiting room to be taken back was the longest. Really, it's not bad at all!

One thing that no one told me my first time was wear pants and socks so you aren't freezing. I used to wear dresses to work, and went after work. I should have grabbed a pair of sweat pants and warm fuzzy socks to take with me. I think buttons and buckles are frowned on. I was so uncomfortable with the temperatures I hardly even noticed the rest.

Hi J.! Congrats on getting your first mamo! I'm going to be 42 and have been getting them annually for years because of the high cancer risk in my family. I was scared too thinking it would hurt, even more so since my breasts are not large, I mean, if you have smaller one's, what is there to squeeze???? But the woman that did the exam was wonderful and made me feel at ease and it didn't hurt at all. And even if there is some pain, it's worth it to have them checked out...how much worse would it be if something were found??!!!! Good luck to you, you will do great! P.S, take a friend with you and stop afterwards and have lunch or movie or something nice!

I had to have one in my mid 20's. I also have large breasts. They have to flatten them (feels like they are pancakes) and try to get as close to your torso as possible. It does hurt, but it's quick. The technicians know what they are doing, and will walk you through it. It will be over soon enough. Of course, I made my husband go with me...they didn't let him in the room but it was nice knowing he was there if I needed him.

Hi J., be sure to tell the lady who will assist you that this is your first time She will walk you though every step of the way. I to have large breast and there can be a little discomfort. But worth every minute.

Good luck ad God bless,
D.

J. I had a mammogram for the 1st time last year. I'm going to be honest and let you know that it is pretty uncomfortable, especially considering that they grab the skin that goes up towards your armpits. Like me being of larger size they will take more picks than they do when your small. The best advice my sister gave me was to make sure that you don't pull out before the tech lifts the press off of you. My sister made the mistake of trying to pull out when the machine beeped it hurt so bad it made her eyes tear up.

I'm sorry I don't have happy things to tell you about it but you will be ok and thankfully we only have to go through this once a year.

You will be fine! My breasts are very large also, and it didn't hurt at all. The most I felt was uncomfortable showing my breasts to a complete stranger, but the lady was extremely nice and helped ease the discomfort. You will be glad when it is all over, and you find out the results. Good luck!
S.

Hello!
I had a couple of mammograms already and did not find them too bad. I wear a c-cup, if that helps. As far as pain goes, I guess it depends on your own assesment of pain levels and the technician. It is not the most comfortable thing to do, but I usually did not find them painful. Web-Md has here a little write up on what they will do procedurely: http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/guide-mammogram-test...
I look at it like going to the dentist as in not having this checked is not an option and we are lucky that we have the coverage that allows us to be checked. I trade a few moments of discomfort for a few years peace of mind any day :)
Try not to worry about it too much, you will be fine and wonder afterwards what the fuss is about. Maybe mention to the technician that this is your first one so she can explain to you what she is doing and why.

Have a great day!
D.

J., it takes about ten minutes and is no big deal at all. They smush your boob between two plastic plates and takes pictures of it from a couple angles. It is mildly uncomfortable, but that is it.

It is not that bad. I am sure it depends on the tech you get but if it becomes to painful, tell them to stop.

Dear J.; I have had many mammograms and I think the machinery they have now is much improved. While it isn't in the category of fun, a mammogram is fast and just a little uncomfortable. The size of your breast is not a factor as they can (and do) squeeze every bit of tissue on your chest into the picture. This is a good thing. Just relax and try not to be apprehensive. It's the best gift you can give yourself.

D.

Hi, J. -
Congratulations on getting a mammogram! That sounds silly, but it's the right thing to do, and so many women simply avoid it because they are fearful. You have to be proactive about your own health, so YAY for you.
Please don't be afraid. Your breast will be placed between two plastic plates and compressed. They're going to give your breast a pretty good squeeze and and yes, it's uncomfortable, but only lasts a few seconds for each picture they take. The peace of mind is well worth the momentary discomfort.
Good luck.

Don't be afraid....I have had several mammograms over the
last few years (I had very large breasts) They squeeze your
breasts and manipulate them a little into correct position,
but it is mild and just like squeezing a little bit too
hard, only lasts a second....don't pay attention to the
"sooo painful" people. Considering the lives it can save,
a little squeezing is nothing compared to chemo.
G. (wife, Mom, Grammy)

I as well have large dense breasts. There was no pain involved in mine. I went to Mercy Gilbert-they are amazing there!! To be totally honest it felt like someone was holding you by your boob and you were trying to pull away. That's the extent of the uncomfort/pain. I've heard others have pain, but everyone that I've talked to that went to Mercy Gilbert was pain free.

Good luck, and be proud of yourself for doing it. As a woman who lost my mother to breast cancer when I was 9 it means everything to me to make sure that I will be there for my daughter!

Hope and prayers for a uneventful experience and results.

Thermograms are BETTER and can detect breast lumps 6-8 years SOONER than mammography. They are typically NOT covered by insurance. They are painless and do not subject you to radiation. WHY are they not the industry standard? Well WHY do we still rely on gasoline engines??????
Check out archives on www.mercola.com for further references on this detection tool.
B. Gettel OTR/L CHT CCH
Eclectic Body Work
Tucson, Az.

Hi! I read you message and thought I would respond because I had a mammogram last year when I was 32. I was totally shocked but, it did not hurt. Most everyone I know that has had one says it hurts, but for some reason it did not. I am glad I had one, mainly because there ended up being nothing wrong, but also because I know not to be worried about the pain in my future mammograms. I am a big believer in "self talk", so every time I would start to get nervous about how painful I thought it was going to be, I would get that right out of my thoughts and try to think it was going to no big deal. Heck, I had already delivered a baby! So...., if you are nervous about the pain, try to think about my experince and hopefully yours will be the same! Good luck, I hope it goes great!
A.

Hi J.!
Welcome to the pancake club! =)

I have been getting mammos for 15+ years since having 2 lumps removed, and couldn't even guess how many I've had total, but more than 20 now. Ugh.

I went through drastic swings in weight from pregnancies (ranging from A cup - D cup) and for me it is more uncomfortable when my breasts are smaller.

I do think it has far more to do with the technician than your size. Certainly tell her it's your first, they will explain more that way. The last 2 times I went they were much better about adjusting the machine to fit my height. With all the scar tissue I have from the surgeries they always have to do extra pictures to get better views and see if there are any changes, but now they just keep me there and go over all the pictures before sending me home so I never have to go back - much easier than go back 2 weeks later and doing it again!

It is by no means comfortable, but definitely not so bad that you need to take advil or anything. Just have to hold your breath while they have you locked into the machine for about 10 seconds!

You have lots of fabulous advice and experience here. Just want to add my 2 cents. I'm very large breasted as well, even after having a breast reduction surgery. I've noticed that the mammogram is painful when I have PMS thus making my breasts already very sensitive and tender. So if my mammogram is scheduled during that time of the month, I need to pre-medicate with an advil/motrin product. Otherwise, after they have you situated in the "Tortilla machine" it will most likely be uncomfortable. It's only temporary. But you are doing the right thing!

I was wondering if your insurance would pay for thermography instead. It is supposed to detect cancer way before any standard mammogram. It is not painful.
Mammograms do expose you to radiation. There are some now questioning the wisdom of this...especially the frequency of the exposures.

Hi, J.! I can tell you for true exact experience, as I am large too. I've had good mammogrms where they were gentle, and bad ones where they were rushed and they hurt me. I spoke with a person I know who works as a Mammographer and she said that it should NOT hurt. There is no reason why they cannot make sure you are comfortable. I feel that if it hurts, you should tell them so they can fix it. Now, you will feel pressure. I joke about the "pancake" affect of it, but they kind of have to do that to get a good image. But it should not be painful. It should be definite hard pressure, but not painful...got it? Speak your mind and tell them your comfort levels. And by all means tell them it is your first and that you are nervous. They'll usually answer your questions kindly. OK? Good luck! And as they alway say on here...let us know how it goes! Hugs! Kat

Less painful for larger breasted women in my experience. Most of the women really complaining were very small. I never thought it was painful at all. More awkward than anything. They put your breast in a mechanical vice and it puts a little pressure on it.

Don't worry you will be fine. =)
K.

I have had many mammograms and am also large-breasted. They try to get the whole thing (even up into part of the chest) as thin as 1" - both horizontally and vertically, which can be painful. They will stop if you say so, but the thinner they can get, the more they can see. Most of them are very kind and tell you what they are going to do before you do it. I always buck it up and do it because my mother died of complications from breast cancer. However, they do now have digital mammography available and I was going to look into it myself. I have an advertisement from SimonMed with phone numbers all around the valley. The Mesa Greenfield office number is ###-###-####, if you want to ask questions. Good luck!

Hi J.,
I have had 3 Mammograms. For me, it was painless. You strip down the top half of your body and put on a gown, open in the front. Then go into a room with a woman Mammographer. You stand next to a machine and the Mammographer puts one breast between two plates and the plates comes together and squeeze your breast. They squeeze pretty tight, but it did not hurt me. I have had other women describe it as painful. I have small breasts, so I don't know if that makes a difference, or maybe during a woman's cycle when the breasts get tender, it may hurt a little. If you have any other questions, let me know. It will be fine and easy!
K.

I, personally, have had 3 mammograms and I ,too, have large breast (34DD) for me it was just a pressing feeling...no pinch, no pain. Like taking your breast in your hands (one on top one on the bottom) and pressing. It lasts a whole 2 minutes and isn't painful. No worries!! They might do 3 pictures/presses and they might only do one (this depends)I can't tell you that. The problem I've encountered with these tests is the height of the machine aarrgghhhh I am 5'1 3/4" they need to adjust so us short people don't have to stand on our toes! :-) 'Cause if you go to relax your feet THEN it pulls and hurts LOL LOL
Good luck and seriously don't worry!

J.,
I have had a mammogram. I also have large breasts, its not that its painful, Its very uncomfortable, but not painful. And you will get cold, between having your top half uncovered in a cold room, and the "table" thing is cold! Other than that the worst part is that it takes a little while...after they do the mammo, they have to check it, to make sure its a good one, and you just sit there and wait.
Good luck with yours!
D.