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Mammogram

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  • 17-04-2013 10:10am
    #1
    Bijon
    Registered Users Posts: 44 ✭


    Hi all,

    First off apologies if I have not posted in the correct forum.

    I was just wondering if anyone here could provide some details on what exactly happens when you have a mammogram. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35 and sadly passed away aged 40. I recently turned 30 and as I have such a close family history of the illness I now have to start getting annual mammograms/check ups.
    So really I am just wondering what the process will be and does it hurt?!

    Thanks :-)


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    #2
    angeldaisy
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 2,281 Mod ✭✭✭✭angeldaisy


    Bijon wrote: »
    Hi all,

    First off apologies if I have not posted in the correct forum.

    I was just wondering if anyone here could provide some details on what exactly happens when you have a mammogram. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35 and sadly passed away aged 40. I recently turned 30 and as I have such a close family history of the illness I now have to start getting annual mammograms/check ups.
    So really I am just wondering what the process will be and does it hurt?!

    Thanks :-)

    Hi Bijon

    Sorry to hear about your mum, I also have a history of female cancers in the family so I've been getting checked yearly for the past 6 years or so.

    I usually get a mammogram done and an ultrasound. The mammogram is a bit undignified - involves some manhandling and can be a little uncomfortable.
    You basically strip to the waist and stand up to the machine. The nurse? will then tell you what position you need to be in and will just manouvre you until your in properly. I don't find it too painful, but its basically two plates squashing the breast so it can be examined. it will be over and done with usually in about 5 mins or so.
    Good luck with it


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    #3
    Bijon
    Registered Users Posts: 44 ✭Bijon


    Hi angeldaisy,

    Many thanks for your reply! You have put my mind at ease, I am not too bad with the undignified aspect :P I just wanted to make sure it wasn't too painful as I am a bit of a wuss :o
    Interesting about the ultrasound, there was no mention of that but I suppose I will have to wait and see what happens on the day. I was going to put it off but I suppose it would be silly to do that, as you get older you do realise your health is your wealth!


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    #4
    angeldaisy
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 2,281 Mod ✭✭✭✭angeldaisy


    Bijon wrote: »
    Hi angeldaisy,

    Many thanks for your reply! You have put my mind at ease, I am not too bad with the undignified aspect :P I just wanted to make sure it wasn't too painful as I am a bit of a wuss :o
    Interesting about the ultrasound, there was no mention of that but I suppose I will have to wait and see what happens on the day. I was going to put it off but I suppose it would be silly to do that, as you get older you do realise your health is your wealth!

    thats no problem, to be honest I'm not too convinced about the screening process and its reliability, but I'd rather be in the system if only to put my mind at rest. I had the ultrasound to begin with because I had found a lump - thankfully just a cyst.


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    #5
    Bijon
    Registered Users Posts: 44 ✭Bijon


    Exactly that is my thinking on the matter, but I suppose it is better to be in the system and have some form of monitoring than nothing at all.
    Oh thank God it was a cyst, the worry must have been massive, so glad it worked out ok for you :)


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    #6
    Scruffles
    Registered Users Posts: 955 ✭✭✭Scruffles


    Bijon wrote: »
    Hi angeldaisy,

    Many thanks for your reply! You have put my mind at ease, I am not too bad with the undignified aspect :P I just wanted to make sure it wasn't too painful as I am a bit of a wuss :o
    Interesting about the ultrasound, there was no mention of that but I suppose I will have to wait and see what happens on the day. I was going to put it off but I suppose it would be silly to do that, as you get older you do realise your health is your wealth!
    if are absolutely against having a mamogram done,the ultrasound is at least better than not doing anything!
    several years ago a big lump grew in mine,near the surface-so its easy to see but because of disability and understanding issues had had the ultra sound done instead of a mamogram,also had a general touch/tactile exam done, the doc [a male cancer specialist] also built up a 'picture' of cancer risk by finding out history of it in family as well as comparison to non cancerous tumors and cysts.
    luckily they were able to diagnose it as non cancerous without a biopsy needed,still have the lump though as they said there isnt a health risk with leaving it there.

    if have got a lot of anxiety over the mamogram,speak to the gp as there are various things they can recommend to help,not just in the form of a medication!
    for example,many gps all over the world prescribe one pill of diazepam for things such as dentist and hospital apointments,going on a plane, and am personaly prescribed a stronger form of it on PRN; temazepam for issues around fireworks and change.

    hope the tests come back ok,they do for most people,perhaps have a treat arranged for the same day as the apointment,like clothes shopping,a restaurant meal,cinema etc-retail therapy is always a good encourager to get through tough things.:D


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