Have you ever had a mammogram? What was your experience like?

Question

I'm a medical radiation technologist who is currently studying mammography and I need some help with a few of my assignments. These assignments are basically interviews so if you are a woman who has had a mammogram in the past and have a few minutes to answer all or some of these questions it would be appericiated.
Thanks
Your age? Had a previous exam?
Were you nervous? Why?
How was your overall experience? Negative aspects (cold room, long wait, professional atmosphere, etc.)? Positive aspects (comfortable environment, good staff, etc.)?
How did you prepare for your exam (read online, speak with friends)?
Was there anything the technologist did you made you feel more comfortable/uncomfortable?
After you exam how did you feel?
Did you feel different after you exam than you did when you arrived?
Can you offer any suggestions to make your next experience better?
Overall, how do you feel about mammography?

Thanks for all your help.

Answer 1

I have a screening mammogram every year. It's a provincial program here.

I'm 53 now, and had my first one 4 years ago.

I wasn't nervous. Then again, I'm a "matter of fact" type of person, and I never bothered to have packages of pads or tampons double-bagged.

My first two were horrible. It was a small room and the machine doesn't adjust. I have multiple types of arthritis and that doesn't help. In fact, when I had my first one done, my right shoulder was in such bad shape that getting my right arm just so on the machine was much, much worse than the mammogram itself. My most recent one was entirely different, and I'll never again go anywhere else. It's a centre that does just mammograms, with machines that adjust the plate height to each woman. The aisles were wide, the changing rooms included rooms that are wheelchair accessible (I now use a walker to get around) and the waiting areas were comfortable and cheerful.

The nurse and the tech at that last centre made me feel very comfortable, The ones before that, not so much.

I did nothing ahead of time to prepare myself. Que sera, sera.

After the exam, I feel bruised for a day or two, of course. How can you not feel bruised. But after the few few, I was also left in bad flares. Having that adjustable machine is so very, very helpful that I actually recommend that site to other women.

Suggestions - every place that does mammograms should be like that last one that I went to. And since I'm enrolled in my provincial program, I no longer need referrals for mammograms. I get a letter every year advising me of my appointment date and time, and if I have a conflict, I simply call to rearrange that appointment. For an exam that is inherently uncomfortable, that's a comfortable as it can be.

That last clinic was the first location on the list that I've included.

And thank you for taking an interest.

Answer 2

I had my very first mammogram when I was 26 and the reason I did was because of some breast pain I was having. Problem was that the dr I had at the time didn't understand that you don't do a mammogram on a 26 year old woman.

The test itself did not hurt during because of the fact that I slid the rest of my body down so that there wouldn't be so much pressure from the part of the exam where the breast is flattened out.

I was a bit nervous going in to this test and I ended up having the pain in my breast hurt more afterward and also had some burning there. The reason I was a bit nervous was b/c it was my first ever mammogram.

My overall experience was very good and did not have a super long wait and got out rather quickly as well. My mom was the one who helped me prepare for it and that helped a lot.

If mammography must be done on a younger woman I think that there should be an easier way to get the results without causing a lot of possible pain.

As for how I feel about mammogram overall I think that they are a lifesaver for women over 50 and anyone younger if they can find a better way to do it for us. I'm 35 now.

Answer 3

Yes, I have had several since I was 36.

My last mammo was in October of 2006. I go every October. It's part of my annual Gyn checkup. The answers I put here are from the October 2006 mammogram.

I am 44. Yes, to previous Gyn exam.

I was not nervous because I knew what to expect.

Overall experience:
Negative: This particular tech (I went at night this time, instead of daytime) was not as nice as previous techs and was a bit rough with the plates. I had a mark on one breast for five days after this mammo. I never had a mark after previous mammos.
Positive: Good atmospshere and people, quick service, comfortable environment.

How did you prepare for your exam (read online, speak with friends)?
I knew what to expect and did not do anything really, except not put any deodorant, powder, nor lotion in the area as instructed.

Was there anything the technologist did you made you feel more comfortable/uncomfortable?
Past techs have always talked me through it even though I have been there before and tried to make me feel more comfortable (even though it isn't), but this tech did not do that. She only went through the motions with placing me in the machine without saying a word.

After you exam how did you feel?
I was glad it was over with.

Did you feel different after you exam than you did when you arrived? I was peeved at the tech.

Can you offer any suggestions to make your next experience better?
The techs should always be gentle as possible with the plates on the machine and talk you through it whether it's your first mammo or your fifteenth.

Overall, how do you feel about mammography?
The ten minutes of discomfort every year are worth it when you find out you don't have any signs of breast cancer. I will continue to get a mammogram every year.

You're welcome. :)

Answer 4

Age: 41

First mammogram: last year

Nervous: Before going, I wasn't nervous. But when I had a call on my voice mail the next day recommending more tests, yes, I got nervous. I tried to call back, but the clinic was closed for the day. A very kind, on-call nurse at the hospital was sympathetic about my anxiety. She called the radiologist at home and asked her to call me back. I was relieved and got a decent night sleep once I could talk about the follow-up test. Thankfully, the follow-up mammogram and ultrasound showed the mass just to be a wayward lymph node.

Negative aspects: The only negative was leaving a message on my voice mail. This non-descript message allowed my imagination to get the best of me and scared me more than knowing what was going on.

Positive aspects: The technicians were all really friendly. We even joked a bit. They were prompt, professional and even put heating pads on the machine to warm it up.

Preparation: I am quite proactive about health issues, so I had already spoken to my physician about the mammogram. Additionally, I read online about the process. I felt well-informed and knew what to expect.

Although there were a few nervous moments before I got the results that the mass was nothing to worry about - it was generally a positive experience. The personality of the technicians made all the difference! They were warm, sympathetic and funny. The only thing I'd suggest is not leave messages on a voice mail. As soon as a patient hears the message (especially the same day as the mammogram), she is going to think the worst. At least don't call at the very end of the day when the patient won't have a chance to return the call before the clinic closes. It would have definitely been a very long sleepless night if they hadn't called me back.

I will continue to get mammograms - they're important and not that big of a deal (assuming you have the all-clear)

Answer 5

I think that having the mammogram is so very important that a little coldness or slight pressure should not keep anyone from having it. If you experience any bad effects, tell the technician and let them correct.. They are not mind readers. Usually they will tell you ahead of time that you may experience some of the above, so you should be prepared. I have had many mammograms and never had a bad experience.

Answer 6

It was awful. Cold room, unpersonable people and then they squashed my breast between two encylopidias (felt like that anyway) with just a pat on the back and a good luck.

Unless there is a problem, I do not plan on doing this procedure on a regular basis. There has to be an easier way.

Answer 7

32_ yes_ Yes_1st time_OK_Discomfort/ cold room_Good technician and staff_ Gynecologist _talked throughout the procedure so everything was comfortable_ Felt a little compressed:p_ No not really...You are as much involved as too how everything goes as they are, so... speak up_ Ain't technology great!!

Answer 8

i'm 19 years old, ive never had a mamography but I often worry about that stuff i think it must be relly uncomfortable to be exposing ur breasts in front of a person u dont even know, plus doctors often treat people like if they weren´t ,

Answer 9

Yes, I have had one They are cold when they put you on the machine but you get in & out fast It's nothing I wouldn't worry It's not a big deal