Oh my poor boobs :/ !

They are hell aren't they loopy! I have lots of bosom to go in too and I have occasionally thought that I would be sick too.

Last time though it was very nearly painless.

I think sometimes the accidently trap bits that bruise inside......or have I just invented a new old wives tale

My first ever mammogram was terribly painful and felt like some sort of assault but have had two more since then that were no more than slightly uncomfortable. I wonder if it depends on how skilful the technician is

You are going to hate me but I think the machinery must have been improved here. Plastic instead of cold steel, rounded corners so no pointy bits sticking in your spare tyre ribs and a sympathetic and gentle nurse meant that mine 2/3 weeks ago was as painless as it could possibly be.
And it came back clear.
Sorry

My last one was ghastly. The radiographer was very softly spoken and a bit rough. I wasn't familiar with the new machine and when she said, 'Lean your cheek against here' I thought she said chin. She snapped, 'THIS is your cheek' and jabbed me in the face. Honestly, I could have slapped her.

Then to cap it all I woke up the next morning with a blood blister at the edge of my armpit where loose skin had obviously been pinched.

Not sure I want to go through it again.

I also find it very painful and commented to radiographer that it was akin to being put through an old fashioned mangle. She replied sarcastically that she wouldn't know as she'd never been through a mangle.

Lots of sympathy and ? to fellow sufferers, here's to hoping that it won't be as bad next time. The trouble is that ample boobs squashed to escalope size = ??? here!

Commiserations to you looplou, it's a painful procedure. Mine are too big, imo, if only they were chicken fillets or something similar, they'd have been removed ages ago, but alas my chest is completely natural . I wonder if it's any less painful for smaller busts. Hope you feel better soon.

Dont have to worry about being well endowed but my last one hurt so much I am determined never to go through it again.

I have to say I'm not that well endowed and I have always found them to be uncomfortable though not generally downright painful. I must admit I always thought it might be easier if you were larger - obviously not!

I too am less endowed and the nurse has to do a bit of giggling around to get them in place. When I say that I can't take it any more the nurse ratchets it up one more time .

The last time I had it done and it didn't hurt a jot.

I wonder if it depends on the nurse who is carrying out the procedure.

I feel as if I'm going to burst. I am sure that there will eventually be something to replace it and we or at least the next generation will look at it with horror.

I am also not that well endowed but never had any problems until the last time when the nurse seemed to struggling to get everything in the right place. Afterwards she sorry but not only did I have a slightly depressed sternum, (never heard that before!) but also my shoes were too flat.

To cheer you up?

The first time I had a mammogram following a crop of breast lumps, I was warned that it would be mildly uncomfortable. Consequently, when it turned out to be excruciating, I assumed that something had gone wrong and promptly passed out (with one boob still trapped). I came round on the floor and the radiographer kindly lowered the machine so that they could 'do' me while seated in a chair. Then I had to wait for an hour in the waiting room until a doctor came to check me out and ascertain why I had fainted before letting me out to drive back to work. Although he was a man, he thankfully took my word for it that I had gone into shock with the sudden, unexpected agony.

Had umpteen mammograms since which have been OK but not exactly what I would choose for a wee treat.

Very good daphne I had biopsy done under mammogram they have to get a small amount of boob and then take biopsies from this area I was very lucky had a very gentle lady doing this it wasn't as painful as previous mammograms I am not well endowed

? Daphne, thank you!

My last one was awful, I have a large scar from my Heart Valve replacement surgery and a 'loose' breastbone, they are supposed to take this into consideration but the woman was awful, really rough.
It has put me off having another one, I showed the bruising to my GP and he was shocked.
I will go somewhere else next time.

I had one two weeks ago and it was painful indeed. My poor litle breasts were pulled and stretched light pastry dough. Don't know if it is more painful when there is less flesh to squeeze but rest assured those better endowed that the smaller amongst us also feel the pain.
Test was clear so worth the momentary suffering!

Please don't put people off having mammograms!

I have never found it painful - uncomfortable yes - but not painful. I find that using relaxation breathing helps - it is over in a moment.

Daphne I hate that photograph! It makes me cringe everytime I see it.

Over the years I've had very painful "I'm never going again!" mammograms and not too bad ones. I've had a couple here in Portugal which were only uncomfortable but the most recent was the strangest. It was done by a male (very young and attractive) radiographer. Nobody else seemed to find it strange so I just carried on normally and he was so gentle and yet so efficient that I honestly wouldn't have minded going back the next day. I presume it was the last one unless I go privately, as I'm now 73.

Lazigirl and Merlotgran and others, I can't believe how unsympathetic, sarcastic and downright rude the mammogram operators were to you. Being a cancer sufferer and going through so much at the moment I have only experienced the kindest and sympathetic treatment. If I hadn't I would be the first to complain. I don't think that anyone should put up with rudeness at such a stressful time. I appreciate it can get boring squashing boobs in between two plates all day but there is no need for such an offhand manner.
Daphne, loved the photo.

I think the actual machine and the operator can make a big difference. In Wales there is a dept called Breast Test Wales and all they do are mammograms. Should anything untoward be found they oversee the treatment etc using specialist local doctors. You are only seen by them for routine mammograms - if you need one for any reason in between you go to the hospital. When I had one done at the hospital it was far more painful as the ladies were not such experts. Most women are xrayed in a mobile unit parked in a supermarket car park. These places are great too.
I have now been done a couple of times in France and that is an even more comfortable experience. You wait for a few minutes afterwards and the doctor comes to examine you as a second line of defence and then you are given the results and the mammograms to take away with you.

The brief discomfort from a mammogram is nothing compared to the pain from treatment for breast cancer, believe me! I was dreading my first mammogram 6 months after a lumpectomy but it was comparatively bearable!

Re the query about an alternative to mammograms, you might be interested in this project being submitted for funding by a local charity here in N. Ireland. No squashing involved.

www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/voting/project/view/16-2325