First Mammogram

I had my first mammogram when I was 38. Since then I made a lot. I find it slightly uncomfortable at the beginning, but not so bad. And it goes very quick too.

Catlover: GOOD ON YOU! I’m glad you did it.

Rose_P: have you checked that in NT they don’t just target their ads to 50+ but still allow you to go from 40+? Those are just the rules for random screening, with your medical history (Eek!) I’m sure there’ll be a way for free. Like catlover said, free or not, you should do it!

I’m due for my pap smear & my tit this month. I’d rather have a weekly pap smear than a tit screen. I’m an E cup, so that’s a hell of a lot of flesh for them to squeeze down into a pancake. They called me back once because of an irregularity (tits not pap). It turns out I’ve got calcification. As the doctor was explaining that it’s fairly common but harmless, my internal monologue was telling me I’ve got “stalactits”, you know, like stalactitEs in caves, except in my tits. (If you heard half the stuff that goes on in my head, seriously…) It’s hard to keep a straight face sometimes. When it happens in a doctor’s office, that’s probably the worst place to have your internal monologue go into a comedy routine.

Catlover, please keep us informed on what you decide to do next week. Hoping you have relief from your symptoms too, having that sort of pain would be a challenge to face each day

First mammogram done and dusted! It was NOWHERE near as bad as I thought it would be. It fact, it wasn’t bad at all except that it exacerbated the current pain I have in my armpit a little. Thanks again for all your messages ladies x

Glad it’s all over for you cat lover

Catlover, please keep us informed on what you decide to do next week. Hoping you have relief from your symptoms too, having that sort of pain would be a challenge to face each day

First mammogram done and dusted! It was NOWHERE near as bad as I thought it would be. It fact, it wasn’t bad at all except that it exacerbated the current pain I have in my armpit a little. Thanks again for all your messages ladies x

Glad the mammo is all done and over with cat lover. Sorry, I think I missed some of the news inbetween. Now you can relax and take it easy and not worry about it.
I hope the pain is going away and you take it easy for the next few days just to get back to normal. Take care.

Catlover, please keep us informed on what you decide to do next week. Hoping you have relief from your symptoms too, having that sort of pain would be a challenge to face each day

First mammogram done and dusted! It was NOWHERE near as bad as I thought it would be. It fact, it wasn’t bad at all except that it exacerbated the current pain I have in my armpit a little. Thanks again for all your messages ladies x

So glad it went well for you cat lover. I’ts always a scarey thing the first time to have it done. It’s only for a split second that you think owwwwwwwwwww lol.

Sometimes I get the pain in the armpit because it’s coming from my neck/shoulder and stress does cause pain sometimes. Hope you find out what is causing yours soon 🙂

Catlover, please keep us informed on what you decide to do next week. Hoping you have relief from your symptoms too, having that sort of pain would be a challenge to face each day

First mammogram done and dusted! It was NOWHERE near as bad as I thought it would be. It fact, it wasn’t bad at all except that it exacerbated the current pain I have in my armpit a little. Thanks again for all your messages ladies x

Brilliant that it wasn’t as bad as expected, cat lover. You will take something for the additional pain in the armpit, rather than put up with it, won’t you? Thanks so much for letting us know.

Yes its a lot of squishing, flexing and being uncomfortable but you’ll get past that cat lover.
Have a nice treat for yourself after you finish and then you can look forward to that. Take care and don’t worry 🙂

Thank you CherryBlossom:) I’m imagining my 38 year-old boobs will age by about twenty years after all that squishing and pulling! There I was thinking I’d keep perky boobs if I didn’t have babies. Wrong!

Actually thinking I might cancel the mammogram booking and just have the ultrasound instead if my blood tests come back ok;)

Actually, an ultrasound is often recommended ahead of a mammogram when your breast tissue is still dense. You might want to discuss it further with your doctor.

When I was having the ultrasound the sonographer agreed that it was a better way to see things when breast tissue is still dense (which mine apparently is). He actually did pick up on something and called the doctor in to the room at one stage. In the end they were both fairly certain it was ok…

Catlover, please keep us informed on what you decide to do next week. Hoping you have relief from your symptoms too, having that sort of pain would be a challenge to face each day

First mammogram done and dusted! It was NOWHERE near as bad as I thought it would be. It fact, it wasn’t bad at all except that it exacerbated the current pain I have in my armpit a little. Thanks again for all your messages ladies x

I guess I had better be brave and front up for one then. I’ve got a strong family history of breast cancer (dads side), and my dad has had prostate cancer. Like I’ve mentioned before, research has shown that there is a link between prostate and breast cancer, and dads doctor has recommended that I get screened regularly. Makes sense when you think about, as the prostate and breasts are both glands. A few of dads aunties have had breast cancer, as well as his sister, and most recently a cousin.
I thought you had to be 50 for the bulk billed screening. I’m 47 this year. Next time I visit the doctor I’ll ask about it.

well done Rose, with your family history I’d expect you’d be easily able to use the free Breast Screen services.

As MissF mentioned if you’re 40+ it’s pretty standard that you can use the services, it’s the same in WA. My sister has been having them through her 40’s, she had womens ‘issues’ & her ovaries removed in her 30’s, so it was a necessity to have regular mammograms. Enquire with your doctor, maybe you need a referral initially if you’re under a certain age, or phone Breast Screen and enquire.

I’ve also has my ovaries removed. The first one went when I was only 19. Somehow I managed to have2 kids with only about half an ovary. Then I lost the rest (total hysterectomy) when I was 24. I’ve taken HRT ever since. So that also puts me in a higher risk category too I suppose. Crikey!

Heavens Rose! Your poor body has been through a lot! I hope you qualify for free screening, but even if you don’t and the price means sacrificing something non-essential (dare I even suggest, a beauty purchase perhaps) it will be worth it for the good of your health:)

Sounds like you are Rose, I hope you can easily get an appt or referral, whatever’s needed in your state to get the screening done soon