I was yelling in pain

My daughter has just been diagnosed with breast cancer found on her very first mammogram. What's a little pain for a short time???

Which is the very reason I was shamed into going nipsmum my own mum had breast cancer too. I do hope your DD makes a full recovery very soon.

my sister had to go for her MG last week and was dreading it, she said how painful the last one was and she also has a prob with her shoulder and was unable to keep her arm up over her head, however, she said this one last week was different, the 'machine moved round' yes she was squashed but nowhere near as much as before, and she didn't have to be repositioned as the machine did the moving.

Medical science moves on all the time. Hopefully one day they will come up with a much easier method and we will look back on mammograms as one of those barbaric practices they used to do in the olden days! Very best wishes to your daughter nipsmum, I'm not being disrespectful.

The last time I went it was being done by a very young girl. It was so painful I stopped her halfway through and declined to have her finish it.
She went and told the senior nurse (whom I have had before, and although a little painful which is what I expect), who simply said "Oh well, we won't be able to give you full results then". I said it was more painful because there had been some backplates put in for one position and hadn't been taken out for the next one (where they weren't necessary), and the flat plates had been put down on my breasts with such force that I could have screamed.
They weren't even the slightest bit interested.

I twice had mammograms, one in my late 40's & another in my early 50's, I had a small lump which had grown so off for further investigation, lump was benign but a decision was made to remove. I had surgery then had to be rushed back in for emergency surgery, I had developed Sepsis, my GP commented that the mammogram damn near killed me. Both my mammograms were painful & I now refuse to go. I believe it's an individual choice whether to go or not.

Breathe in deeply, as the plate comes down exhale slowly always helps me,if you can remember from one who has had a lumpectome ,so small breast one side and a B on the other

If someone is hurting you step away from the machine.
These people are not Gods or police officers that have to be obeyed.
Please get a perspective that you should not be screaming in pain.
Ever.
If they are rude to you walk away.
Demand a different team either that day or arrange another date.
It is possible to leave and sort out another visit after you've recovered from the original visit.

^If someone is hurting you step away from the machine.
These people are not Gods or police officers that have to be obeyed.
Please get a perspective that you should not be screaming in pain.
Ever^

I agree with you gmelon but I always tend to feel guilty for daring to speak against a medical professional (although I have come across a few bad ones in my time).

Also by the time you are "screaming in pain" you are jammed in a machine between 2 heavy metal plates so you can't exactly move away can you?

No, Legs55, it was the sepsis that nearly killed you, it wasn't the mammogram, and I am surprised that your GP said that it was. If an Xray were to reveal that you had a growth and you subsequently died of heart failure on the operating table, would the same GP have said that your cause of death was due to an Xray?

I had one yesterday at Addenbrooks. The radiologist was amazing. She knew exactly how to position my breasts...not small ones either...and took care in positioning me as well. It was painless and I complimented her on her skill. I have had ones in the past that have been uncomfortable but never seriously painful. It is all down to the skill of the radiologist. Please don't let this put you off having another one...they are so important.

I'm not sure but I think the point Leggs was making Elegran is that if she hadn't had the mammogram then she wouldn't have had the surgery, if she hadn't had the surgery then.......

I did get that, Gilly, but there are other factors involved in getting sepsis than having a mammogram that revealed the problem that led to the surgery that preceded the sepsis . . . A small matter of sterile equipment and procedures perhaps, for one thing?

Because it felt to me as though I was going through a mangle I just used to grit my teeth when having mammograms. I was relieved when at 69 the radiographer told me that I wouldn't be sent any more requests as I'd have turned 70. However a PET scan hadn't shown up anything 4 years ago so up to now I'm very lucky and certainly know so judging by the many cases of breast cancer. No females on mum's side including herself had any cancers it was heart attacks and strokes.

I have had about 10 mammograms over the last 20 years as part of the routine BreastScreen program where I live. I also have big boobs but found the staff have always been very gentle and careful to minimise any discomfort. The boobs do get a bit squished but only for a few moments.

A lot depends on the skill and care taken by the staff when positioning the breasts and no one should be screaming in pain. Tell the staff before they walk away to take the image if you are in pain and provide feedback to the clinic or program management if you feel that staff have ignored your pain or been careless or inconsiderate. And remind yourself that a little bit of discomfort and regular screens might save your life.

I have had mammograms for about thirty years, and never had any pain or discomfort, the only thing I dont like is being "trapped" in the machine for the few minutes it takes, also I asked the girl doing it once what happens of there is a power cut when in the vice, she laughed and said we can open up by hand, wow that was a consolation.

nipsmum - sorry to hear this about your DD. I hope they can get on top of it quickly.

Mine are always painful I have to grit my teeth. I am a 38g and did wonder if it’s because of the size.

I have to grit my teeth always painful

I've been having routine screening for almost 30 years. Over 70, I have to request it. I've never had more than a little mild discomfort, soon forgotten, and am very grateful for the system.

As someone with not much up top, I never had too much trouble with mammograms. Uncomfortable but not painful. I have now had a lot of them due to breast cancer nearly 10 years ago. The worst one was 6 months after the lumpectomy. What was left of my breast was still sensitive and it did hurt. The radiographer was very considerate and tried not to cause too much pain. Here in Belfast, our radiographer seem a bit more humane!
I have just had my last one. Once you have had breast cancer, it is always a reassurance of no return so I intend to continue to have them through a local charity scheme once I am 70. I hate pain but for me it is relatively minor compared to the alternative.

By the way, for those deciding not to have mammograms, my cancer measured 6mm when discovered. When removed a week later, it measured 12mm. Thank goodness it was discovered in time

I have had several mammograms done now - one or two have been more painful than the others and I have come to the conclusion its down to the person that is doing them. I also take a couple of paracetamols before going and always have something to eat - have heard that you feel pain more on an empty tummy.

My first one was excruciating, I have small breasts, the second one much better, I was told it depends on the operator. I wonder how men would cope if they had to have their bits done ? Still it doesn't last for long and we are lucky to have this service

KatyK I m like you I ve never felt pain, discomfort yes and I hate the squashing feeling I always think they ll burst open and fly all over the floor but no never had pain I m not small or overly big middle f the road ...c cup

I had one a few days ago in one of those mobile vans that park locally. I told the woman I had a port inserted under my skin at the top of my breast. It's to make it easy for me to receive intravenous antibiotics as I have a chronic lung condition. You would have thought I was speaking Chinese she had no idea what that was and brought her boss in who had no idea either. I had a mammogram in the same van last time and have had it twice before in another centre.
First time operator wasn't very nice but the next two times they couldn't have been more helpful and took extra photos near to the port as they wouldn't be able to see if anything was lurking right under it.
This time staff weren't so nice, I wondered why a health professional didn't know what intravenous antibiotics were. Anyway she said, " Well we can't put that part of your breast near the scanner in case we damage the implant so that will have to do." Not helpful,no smiles ,everything done so matter of fact while I'm feeling vulnerable standing there with my breasts on show. I think it must be very painful for ladies with small breasts,they expect you to be a cortorionist.

If you want one after the age of 70, you have to request it,and under the NHS you can have one every 3 years. That was the rule 10 years ago when I was working.Personally I have not advantage of this!