Mammogram? men enter at your own risk:)

LaSutopia
LaSutopia Posts: 1,164 Member
edited October 2024 in Chit-Chat
So I thought this was the best spot to post this..Does chit chat cover this?:) I hope so cause I wanted to talk about it. There is more to being healthy than just diet and being a healthy weight....so I wanna talk about mammograms! I am 28 and have never had one! This being breast cancer awareness month I have been thinking about it a lot. So here is what I am wondering.....who has had one and what was your experience like? I am not so much worried about the actual test. I know opinions range from it hurts like hell to it was nothing! I don't know what to expect there but am not really that concerned...what I am feeling anxious about is what it will say...I don't have any reason to think that it will show anything bad except that I have usually been unlucky at these sort of things :( I heard a girl say on a talk show today that if you don't go get one cause you are afraid of the test or what it will say you wont save yourself from having it...you can just save yourself from possibly dying from not knowing if you do go. So not going and finding out wont keep you from getting it...that is so true! anyway I am rambling...All that said, Im gonna be brave and go get one this friday! It just helps me not be nervous if I talk about it.....so give me your stories to pass the time:)

Replies

  • ladybug1620
    ladybug1620 Posts: 1,136 Member
    I've never had one, but I'm just curious why you decided to get one since you are only 28? My doctors have never brought this up (yet) and the research I did says over 40 unless you have family history of cancer. Again, just curious and wondering if I should do the same. I'm 29.
  • KPaden1221
    KPaden1221 Posts: 433
    i've never had one either.. but my gyno always checks my breasts during my yearly checkup.. i'm 24 about to be 25.. so for now.. i feel safe with just having my dr check once a year.. and when i get older i'll start having mammograms regularly..And everything I see says 40 years old to start having regular mammograms.
  • lizsmith1976
    lizsmith1976 Posts: 497 Member
    Without family history or suspicious reason for getting one, there is no need for younger than 35 y/o women to get one. Chance of getting false positive and going through that is not worth risk of missing something at your age. I'm 35 and have not had one, but with absolutely no history of it with any women in my family and no suspicion of any lumps, etc, I am not getting one yet. Not afraid to, just don't see the benefit.

    Good luck - hopefully it is not too painful!
  • BreakinTheChains
    BreakinTheChains Posts: 381 Member
    I'm 39 .. I had my first one 2 yrs. ago .. Well they're not very nice to the GIRLS.. They stretch them , pull them squeeze them and smash them.. But in the end it's for a good cause.. When your results come back "everything looks normal" I guess it's all worth it.. Honestly it's not the worst thing we have to do as woman.. I say get it done.. I did it early due to family history !! 40 yrs. is whats normally suggested !!
  • Krull_the_WarriorKing
    Krull_the_WarriorKing Posts: 650 Member
    *
  • Eleanorjanethinner
    Eleanorjanethinner Posts: 563 Member
    Hi there,

    the likilhood of having something wrong at your age is veeeeeery slim. You're much more likely to get run over by a bus or something.

    And yes, they squish your boobies between two metal plates, but you can say stop when it's squishy enough. It didn't hurt, it was just a bit uncomfortable. I much prefer it to smear tests, let's just say that! :)
  • voluptas63
    voluptas63 Posts: 602 Member
    Do you have any family history of breast/ovarian cancer in your family. More specifically, your mother/mother's mother or yourself? If not, chances are your insurance will not cover it if you're not over the age of 40 because you're not high risk. You should check with your insurance provider first:) My mother is a breast cancer survivor and her mother is an ovarian cancer survivor (they're linked to each other as far as cancer goes) and I carry the "breast cancer gene"; increasing my risk and my insurance won't cover me until I'm 35. They won't even cover a preventative masectomy. Jerks. So I have to wait to get cancer OR until I'm 35. Whichever comes first :)
  • Lesley2800
    Lesley2800 Posts: 92
    Do you have a family history? Both my grandmas are breast cancer survivors and my mom died of cervical cancer. I got a baseline done at about your age because my doctor felt a lump...and I wound up having to have an ultrasound and it showed nothing. So I had another one done this year...it's been about 8 years. I went and had it done and hadn't even hardly been back to the office when they called to say they saw something and I had to go back for another one. Very scary to say the least. They got me in the next morning and I had another one...talk about a tight squeeze so they could see if they could flatten it out and it would not show. No, still there so they got me in for an ultrasound right away and trust me, I'm panicking a little. The radiologist comes in and says.."Don't worry it's not cancer...it's a fatty deposit. We'll keep an eye on it." Ok, could they have told me that to begin with? So I am suppose to go back in this month to check it. I was very impressed because they were very nice and showed me the spot and everything. I go to a woman's center.

    Hope that's the kind of story you are looking for :)
  • KPaden1221
    KPaden1221 Posts: 433
    Do you have any family history of breast/ovarian cancer in your family. More specifically, your mother/mother's mother or yourself? If not, chances are your insurance will not cover it if you're not over the age of 40 because you're not high risk. You should check with your insurance provider first:) My mother is a breast cancer survivor and her mother is an ovarian cancer survivor (they're linked to each other as far as cancer goes) and I carry the "breast cancer gene"; increasing my risk and my insurance won't cover me until I'm 35. They won't even cover a preventative masectomy. Jerks. So I have to wait to get cancer OR until I'm 35. Whichever comes first :)

    a lot of places/hospitals/doctor offices/etc do free mammograms during the months of May and October. I would check into that. Also, most women's centers or cancer centers will do reduced pricing for mammograms for people like yourself.
  • shrek1970uk
    shrek1970uk Posts: 83 Member
    I have an annual mammogram due to family history of breast cancer (plus radiotherapy I had to the chest area).

    Someone told me to take paracetamol/ibuprofen just before the actual mammogram, and you won't feel anything.

    I would describe it as 'discomfort' rather than 'pain'. They take 4 x-rays in total - 1 lateral & 1 horizontal - both sides. Actual x-ray is over in seconds - takes longer to get you positionned just right .

    Hope this helps :smile:
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    They won't even cover a preventative masectomy.
    Can you get those?!? Man, I want one....
  • caveats
    caveats Posts: 493 Member
    I think it depends a lot on your genetics. People like, for example, Christina Applegate who went for mammograms early either already knew they had the carrier gene or knew there were instances in their family previously.

    My mother didn't have her first one until her late 30s as part of an overall physical for health insurance, and she was fine. She got her next one in her 40s, and there was a small lump, but a biopsy confirmed it wasn't malignant (it wasn't even pre-cancerous, it was just an area of denser fatty tissue). As far as breast cancer/issues go, that hasn't really run in my family as much as uterine cancer/hysterectomies/ectopic pregnancies, etc. So I guess with me, I need to worry about my plumbing down south rather than up top.

    Nevertheless, I did ask a medical professional when I got my check-up at 30 if I needed a mammogram. She said that unless I had a history of it in my family, she recommends I wait until at least 40 because at 30, we still have higher levels of estrogen that can give false alarms on mammograms. Since the breasts in my family have so far all survived intact (*knock on wood*), I took her advice and passed on the mammogram at 30.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    They squish one of your breasts for about 45 seconds. Then they do the same thing to the other one. Honestly, they have had rougher treatment during sex.
  • sandy2006
    sandy2006 Posts: 483 Member
    I have had 4 mamograms so far. No I didnt think it hurt at all. Anyway I an 39 and got my first at 36 and it came back showing something so they did another and it showed nothing. Then I went at 38 and yep it showed something too. So went back in and nothing again. So four before the age 40. I get really pissed off when people say no need for one till the age of 40. My grandmother was diagnosed at 38 with breast cancer so was Christina Applegate and lots of others. I do think 28 is a bit young but certainly 35 seems reasonable for a baseline.
  • moffee01
    moffee01 Posts: 67 Member
    Im 32 and had 2 within 6 months of each other last year. I have leaked(drips here and there) of breast milk since I had my oldest son 9 years ago. So the breast specialist ordered a mam. Then again when I found a lump. I was soo nervous the first time. But it was absolutely nothing. Breast feeding or even getting pinched with a underwire bra hurt way more. The ladies that did mine were very gentle and talked me through the whole thing. Good luck!

    Kelly
  • rissyroo2002
    rissyroo2002 Posts: 71 Member
    My doc is sending me for my 1st one next year when I turn 40. I asked at this year's appointment and she said to wait a year. In the past year, there has been 5 dear friends/family that had a mass found during their mammogram. 2 of them do have cancer (stage 1 and stage 4). I do not have a family history but it is very scary stuff.
  • lobster888
    lobster888 Posts: 861 Member
    I think the responses are good advice. Unless there is a family history or you or your docote find a lump then there is not a need to have one until late 30's but no later than 40. I don't have family history and never had any problems but have had one every year since I turned 40. Mine happen to be very painful. VERY. I have small breast and to get a good reading is hard. Also I have dense breast which also makes it hard to get a good accurate reading and usually have to have several screenings and sometimes an ultra- sound but every thing comes out fine. It is a scary process but it's a necessary one to go through. Catching it early is a key in a better survival rate.
  • LaSutopia
    LaSutopia Posts: 1,164 Member
    oh thanks you guys! You are great! My family gets lumps but as far as I know they have never been anything...I never knew my mom or her side of the family so I have NO IDEA if there was any on their side.....I called my insurance to see if they covered and they said yes. They did not mention any age limit but I will call back just to make sure! Thanks for that idea!! And please NO ONE freak out if you are young and never had one...I just am paranoid about things like that cause i have a bad rep for getting weird things....I had brain surgery when I was 13 cause a vessel was leaking, I had seizures with both babies....I just don't have good luck and I am worried that with the history of lumps in my family that I will be the one that does end up having cancerous ones! I say it don't hurt to know....there is NO CURE and they preach EARLY DETECTION!! That is the only way to save yourself...so If you insurance will cover it or some of it why not! A good friend of mine fought it for years and died when she was ONLY 35 even after having a double mastectomy! And get this....SHE HAD NO FAMILY HISTORY or reason to think she would get it! Science has shown now that really anyone can get it at any time more and more...its just especially worried about in people that do have a history...

    I say DON'T FREAK OUT just GET TESTED. Its just a little uncomfortable for a little bit and then you know....I guess false positives would be a pain, but it comes down to everyone's personal preference...if you do regular self exams and go to your dr and nothing has popped up and you just wanna wait till you are older then I see nothing wrong with that...it's up to you. But if you want to do it just to know and you can, then why not?! :) I like to know:) I will probably do it Friday, and then if nothing shows up Ill most likely wait till like 35 to check again! Just to make myself feel better.
  • chrissyh
    chrissyh Posts: 8,235 Member
    I had my first, only, and last at age 34. It was "precautionary" since I had no family history surely my lump wasn't anytthing to worry about....WRONG so thankful that the doc preferred to be cautious as I am now a almost 6 year survivor!

    My insurance only covered partially because I wasn't 40 but if I had been 40 it was covered 100%.

    I was in stage 1 and due to myself finding the lump and doc being careful...I am here today!! Early detection is the key!
  • voluptas63
    voluptas63 Posts: 602 Member
    They won't even cover a preventative masectomy.
    Can you get those?!? Man, I want one....


    I KNOW. I can get a whole new set of tits that are perky and will NEVER FALL... and insurance will pay for it. Here's to hoping the new job has better insurance;)
  • Dylanzmom
    Dylanzmom Posts: 120
    Had one before my surgery and it wasn't bad at all. Slightly uncomfortable but not horrible. I will admit the waiting part is worse than the exam
  • jojo52610
    jojo52610 Posts: 692 Member
    I was getting them since I was 40 (used to be the standard) when I was 43 I went for my yearly Mammo gram and they found a lump.
    I couldn't feel the lump myself, my lump turned out to be breast cancer. No family history nothing.

    I consider my self very lucky they found it I still had to do Chemo and Radiation but that was 5 1/2 years ago.

    As far as a Mammogram they pull you tug you squish you not very comfortable, but not horrific. Much better than the rest of the stuff I had to go through after I was diagnosed.


    If your insurance won't pay I would urge you next time you see your GYN to show you how to do a breast exam if you don't know how.
  • tigertown11
    tigertown11 Posts: 310
    Do you have any family history of breast/ovarian cancer in your family. More specifically, your mother/mother's mother or yourself? If not, chances are your insurance will not cover it if you're not over the age of 40 because you're not high risk. You should check with your insurance provider first:) My mother is a breast cancer survivor and her mother is an ovarian cancer survivor (they're linked to each other as far as cancer goes) and I carry the "breast cancer gene"; increasing my risk and my insurance won't cover me until I'm 35. They won't even cover a preventative masectomy. Jerks. So I have to wait to get cancer OR until I'm 35. Whichever comes first :)

    what state do you live in? what insurance do you have? the guidelines have changed in Oct of 2011. If you have that family history they shouldn't be able to deny you. i have just had intensive screening and genetic testing at the Mayo clinic in Rochester, Mn. I learned A LOT. I would recheck with your insurance company now. good luck.
  • Health_Gal
    Health_Gal Posts: 715 Member
    I never had a mammogram, and unless I KNOW I have a problem, I don't want one!

    I don't want the radiation and there are WAY too many false positives from mammograms, which result in unnecessary worry, expense, lost time and pain from unnecessary biosopies
  • tigertown11
    tigertown11 Posts: 310
    I would like everyone to know that a lot of the guidelines regarding mammograms, MRI's, genetic testing, prophylactic masectomies with reconstruction have changed in October 2011. Please recheck your insurance guidelines and even consult with a genetic counselor for possible mutation testing if you have a relative of the first degree that has had breast cancer.
    I am 38, with a mother, grandmother and 5 out of 7 aunts that have had breast cancer. All but one dying of breast ca before the age of 60. I want to be proactive. I don't want my 6 yr old growing up with out a mother like I did. I took the BRCA mutation testing and although the BRCA1 & 2 are negative, i show a mutation change to be positive as a carrier of a cancer mutation!! PREVENTION!!
    Remember, a little squeeze on your breast in a mammogram is nothing compared to the pain that you will endure when that mutation grows in you and you are having chemo and radiation.
    I am very passionate about Breast Cancer. I even have opted for a bilateral masectomy. I will be proceeding with this starting in Jan 2012. I am excited and relieved to have this option. Although the recover is painful and long. it will bring me many more years to be a mother to my child that I never had.
    PLEASE be proactive!! Check with your insurance. There are programs out there for those that aren't covered. Check with your hospitals financial advisors. They like to use those programs as it brings in money to their hospitals.
    God Bless!
  • Johnnyswife
    Johnnyswife Posts: 1,447 Member
    I think the bigger the girls are, the less the mammogram will hurt.Mine barely hurt until they redid it after taking a blood sample from it.

    Had an issue with leaking from one of them. I was single, not on BC and not pregnant either so I made an appointment. I have a lot of fiberous lumps in mine, and one didn't feel normal, so they did a needle biopsy. It was weird/cool...had to lay on a table that had a hole in it for my breast. They put a tube in and pulled out these white looking bits. The tests were negative, but I had to do it.

    If you EVER feel like something is off, or not right, than get a mammogram done. The peace of mind is worth any discomfort you might have to deal with.
  • chrissyh
    chrissyh Posts: 8,235 Member
    OK, don't be a whimp, go get a mammogram. I am diagnosed for the second time with breast cancer - do what you've got to do. Check yourself, know your body! Get the docs exam as well.
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