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I need to have a bilateral mammogram done next week for a bump found. My breasts already seem to be very sensitive all the time as it is. I am also pretty small in that area. I am only 20. I am wondering what it feels like. Not sure what th bilateral means, but what does this feel like?

2007-03-03 09:23:44 · 4 answers · asked by Heather N 2 in Health Women's Health

4 answers

Bilateral means "both sides." Even if the lump you feel is only on one side, they do both for comparison (and to see if they other one is okay.) The breast will be compressed by two square plates, one at a time, for a few seconds. They will do at least two views on each breast, sometimes more if they see something or if they want more info. It doesn't matter the size, only on your pain tolerance. It really isn't as bad as it sounds, but you can take a pain reliever about an hour before going if you want to. I'm a mammogram tech, and I've been doing this for 8 years. It's not as bad as it sounds.

2007-03-05 01:00:42 · answer #1 · answered by txgal30 1 · 0 0

Bilateral means 'both sides' or 'both breasts'. Mammograms feel different to everyone. The important thing is that you have it done. Every 13 minutes a woman dies from breast cancer....a totally preventable disaster. This test could save your life. And since this may be your first , it certainly won't be your last. Congrats to you for taking this step...encourage others....we can make a difference in life by having the regular self breast monthly exams.... and mammograms as ordered.

2007-03-03 17:31:10 · answer #2 · answered by tlbrown42000 6 · 1 0

I have had quite a few mammograms (am 34) and 2 breast biopsys (both negative, yeah) and sometimes they have hurt and sometimes not. But when they do hurt it is only for the time the tech has to walk over and push a button then it automatically releases so its not to bad. It is only for a few seconds and a couple times each breast. Maybe take some Motrin or something before you go. Good Luck

2007-03-03 20:08:47 · answer #3 · answered by Miss Coffee 6 · 1 0

I had always heard that it hurts more when you're smaller, but that's not true. I'm small in that area and it's just mildly uncomfortable (including being uncomfortable bearing your breasts and having them tugged on). The person doing the mammogram will tug your breasts (one at a time) to get it positioned correctly under the machine.

Tell the person working if it's too uncomfortable, and compression will be decreased.

2007-03-03 17:32:22 · answer #4 · answered by limemountain 3 · 0 0

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