Small breasts mammogram

[Anonymous]

Scheduled for the day after my 50th birthday. How was your experience? Very anxious.

[Anonymous]

I've had several. They take total of 4 -- type types each side.

The one that compresses down, is not bad. The one that compresses from the side hurts. I'm 52.

They will try to squeeze in as much of the surrounding tissue -- near your pits, and top. It stretches my neck skin quite a bit, which really, at 52, that's the last thing my neck needs.

But, mammo screenings are important. I have 2 breast cancer cases in my family.

[Anonymous]

It kind of hurts because they stretch your skin a lot. It does hurt me to hold my arm/shoulder in certain positions for a long time. I imagine if I had larger breasts, I wouldn't have to lean into the machine as much.

You just have to get it done. I ended up having to get a biopsy too, it was fine, they are used to breasts of all sizes.

[Anonymous]

Small breasts here. Didn’t hurt a bit for me. I’m sure others’ experiences are true but I can’t relate. It was a non event.

[Anonymous]

I mean, it isn’t comfortable, but there’s nothing to be anxious about. I take ibuprofen beforehand - that’s the best tip I’ve gotten. I have a lot of cysts so it’s always a diagnostic mammogram. I’m just lucky I can get it.

[Anonymous]

OK I’ll be honest I really hate them. And I’m not a pain wimp, I have had 2 unmedicated childbirths etc. Fortunately it doesn’t take that long but it is painful and awkward and when you are very small they have to have you stand in all sorts of funny positions to make sure that they get the tissue that they need.

[Anonymous]

It’s uncomfortable, but not painful.

[Anonymous]

You’ve not had one before at 50? Good for you for getting started. I have small breasts, I’m 43, and they’re mildly uncomfortable but it lasts a total 10 minutes..with about 30 seconds three times per side…it will ok.

[Anonymous]

Due to family history I've been getting them yearly for the past 20 years. It's not painful, just annoying and uncomfortable. In the past, mammograms were somewhat painful but the newer technology equipment makes it much better. Don't worry.

[Anonymous]

Go right after your period (follicular phase), when progesterone is low and breasts not tender, and take a pain reliever 30 min before. I have tiny breasts and it didn’t hurt.

That is true for all physical exams, BTW.

[Anonymous]

Awkward and uncomfortable but not painful. The part I dislike is holding my breath. I just went yesterday and I mistimed all of my exhales so that I was standing there waiting to breath again.

Is it supposed to be worse for smaller women? I'm small (AA), and have always kind of assumed the opposite. Less that they need to squish.

[Anonymous]

I mean, I think mammograms are kinda painful, but I don’t worry about it because it’s nothin you can’t handle and it goes by pretty quickly. I have As and while it seems like they have to squeeze more of my chest wall in, I would assume they do the same with bigger breasted women too.

[Anonymous]

Small here, too, and it hurts but it’s not excruciating. I would be soooo pissed if I ever get breast cancer, doesn’t seem fair; somehow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s uncomfortable, but not painful.

This. You will get used to it (I have had them for 20 years). It is so worth it.

I would rather get a mammogram than have my teeth cleaned. This can save your life.

[Anonymous]

This is a good question. They had a smaller part on the machine that was more curved and much more comfortable for me as I have small breasts. However not all facilities have this and you should ask about it. They should definitely work towards making mammograms less awkward so those of us with smaller breasts are not as apprehensive and skeptical about them. As someone once said, men probably wouldn’t submit to having their private parts compressed like this so I don’t know why someone doesn’t invent a better way to screen women. Also see discussion about ultrasound for dense breasts as it contained some info that I don’t think is widely known.