Going for my first mammogram
Laroussi06-19-2003, 09:09 AMI'm 35 yrs old and for about 1 yr now I've had some discharge leaking from both nipples. Doc said it was nothing to worry about but it's getting worse and I'm feeling a dull pain in my left breast under the armpit.
Both my grandmothers had breast cancer (one actually had one breast removed) so I felt it was time to put my mind at rest.
Just wondered if anyone had had a similar experience and what can I expect during the mammogram (I've heard it hurts!). Also I have rather large lumpy breasts.klayr06-19-2003, 01:02 PMHi, Laroussi. You are right to have a mammogram if you're nervous, and with a history of close family members having the disease already, I'm sure you will want to start having them yearly now. Has your doctor seen the discharge? Does he know about your family history? My sister-in-law has discharge often, and her doctor has checked her thoroughly, and she has always come out fine. I hope your results are the same. As far as the pain associated with the test, don't worry about it. Are you a mother? If you are, there is nothing you can't handle! If not, the discomfort (and that's all it is) lasts no longer than 60 sec at the absolute most. Of course, they take several views, so the discomfort can last a whole ten minutes in total. I'll bet you can do that standing on your head. Menstrual cramps are longer and more horrible than that. Good luck, and keep posting.Laroussi06-19-2003, 02:15 PMThanks for the advice.
Just got back from the exam and there is an abnormality. I now have to go back for an ultra sound next week. Even though I was have expecting something - this has really thrown me and I'm absolutely terrified.
No, I'm not a mum yet, currently undergoing fertility treatment, as we've been trying for 2 yrs, and now I get hit with this.
So what's the next move? Why an ultra sound? I'm getting really nervous.klayr06-19-2003, 04:01 PMTry not to panic (that's the hardest part). Just because they see something that they want to take a closer look at doesn't automatically condemn you to anything. The ultrasound is just a better viewing tool for a specific area. Many women have them with no bad news at all. Try to think positively. And even if the worst happens, at least you can start getting it treated. It's funny, because you said you are having fertility issues, which I did also. It took me five years to conceive and then seven after that. No one asked me any questions about my health except if anyone in my family had breast cancer. I wasn't supposed to be one of the ones at risk. Please stay in contact here. This has been a great source of support to people, even if nothing comes of the ultrasound, which we hope will be the case.amphigory06-19-2003, 06:53 PMLaroussi,
If your breasts are naturally kind of lumpy, it can be harder to tell what's what on a mammogram anyway. That might be all it is. Best of luck.Sweetie106-26-2003, 07:05 PMI just had my first mammogram today. I'm actually not that nervous about the results. I'm 31 and I've had a lumpectomy 7 years ago--benign. I also have lumpy breasts and I have a feeling this one is also going to be a benign mass too. I need to make an appt. with a surgeon to aspirate it. The mammo. was used to see if there are any other abnormalities that were not able to be felt. Wish me luck!klayr06-26-2003, 11:28 PMAbsolutely good luck to you. Keep having those mammos. They are our best defense against such a scary disease. Keep posting, and good luck!
Both my grandmothers had breast cancer (one actually had one breast removed) so I felt it was time to put my mind at rest.
Just wondered if anyone had had a similar experience and what can I expect during the mammogram (I've heard it hurts!). Also I have rather large lumpy breasts.klayr06-19-2003, 01:02 PMHi, Laroussi. You are right to have a mammogram if you're nervous, and with a history of close family members having the disease already, I'm sure you will want to start having them yearly now. Has your doctor seen the discharge? Does he know about your family history? My sister-in-law has discharge often, and her doctor has checked her thoroughly, and she has always come out fine. I hope your results are the same. As far as the pain associated with the test, don't worry about it. Are you a mother? If you are, there is nothing you can't handle! If not, the discomfort (and that's all it is) lasts no longer than 60 sec at the absolute most. Of course, they take several views, so the discomfort can last a whole ten minutes in total. I'll bet you can do that standing on your head. Menstrual cramps are longer and more horrible than that. Good luck, and keep posting.Laroussi06-19-2003, 02:15 PMThanks for the advice.
Just got back from the exam and there is an abnormality. I now have to go back for an ultra sound next week. Even though I was have expecting something - this has really thrown me and I'm absolutely terrified.
No, I'm not a mum yet, currently undergoing fertility treatment, as we've been trying for 2 yrs, and now I get hit with this.
So what's the next move? Why an ultra sound? I'm getting really nervous.klayr06-19-2003, 04:01 PMTry not to panic (that's the hardest part). Just because they see something that they want to take a closer look at doesn't automatically condemn you to anything. The ultrasound is just a better viewing tool for a specific area. Many women have them with no bad news at all. Try to think positively. And even if the worst happens, at least you can start getting it treated. It's funny, because you said you are having fertility issues, which I did also. It took me five years to conceive and then seven after that. No one asked me any questions about my health except if anyone in my family had breast cancer. I wasn't supposed to be one of the ones at risk. Please stay in contact here. This has been a great source of support to people, even if nothing comes of the ultrasound, which we hope will be the case.amphigory06-19-2003, 06:53 PMLaroussi,
If your breasts are naturally kind of lumpy, it can be harder to tell what's what on a mammogram anyway. That might be all it is. Best of luck.Sweetie106-26-2003, 07:05 PMI just had my first mammogram today. I'm actually not that nervous about the results. I'm 31 and I've had a lumpectomy 7 years ago--benign. I also have lumpy breasts and I have a feeling this one is also going to be a benign mass too. I need to make an appt. with a surgeon to aspirate it. The mammo. was used to see if there are any other abnormalities that were not able to be felt. Wish me luck!klayr06-26-2003, 11:28 PMAbsolutely good luck to you. Keep having those mammos. They are our best defense against such a scary disease. Keep posting, and good luck!