NPR: Can we talk mammograms?

peekaboo716

Who's gotten one? My doctor is tellling me I need to get one for comparison reasons (for when I am older I guess). I'm not 40 yet. I need to see if this is covered by my insurance (something about being 40 rings a bell with when coverage kicks in for those), but I am honestly freaked out about getting one.

So, have you had one? Is it awful? How long does it last? What's the worst part about it? What happens that people don't tell you? Give it to me straight.

Thanks!

KrisBriMcBunny

honestly unless you have a family history of breast cancer I dont think you need one before 40.

They arent as bad as they used to be since they are now digital and dont need to press down so hard.  The whole thing took about 5-10 minutes.  The only bad thing I could say about it is that they sometimes put you in awkward positions.  I'm not exactly as flexible as I used to be lol.

Rebekah1021

My dr. recommends a baseline one at age 35 and then at 40.

I have had one because I had a cyst. It was uncomfortable, not gonna lie, but overall not too bad. I took motrin beforehand.Oh and you can't wear deodorant or lotion beforehand either.

mabelanna

Haha- I opened this thread bc I thought you wanted to talk monograms...

 

JenniC1135

I had one a month or two ago, for what turned out to be a cyst.  It was uncomfortable at times, but not painful except for when the radiologist had the tech do some retakes of the concerning area and she had to compress more.  It's a little weird to have someone else helping you flatten your boob onto a plastic piece of machinery, but so much of women's healthcare is like that.  I'm glad to have had one and have it over with, because now I won't worry about them again.  It was no better / worse than a pap smear. 

AviatorJJ

i was 29 and NO my insurance did NOT cover it. bastardss! if you have small tatas it hurts cause you aint got much to put in between the plates. the top plate kept scraping along my breast bone. not that bad though, just uncomfortable.