I had my mammogram a few months ago.
For those of you who have never had a mammogram- it sucks.
I’m pretty sure that the person who invented stilleto heels and corsets is the same person who invented the mammo machine…
Your breasts are literally pressed into a machine. You have to hold your breath. They need multiple angles to make sure they see everything. And if you have large breasts, let’s just say they are going to readjust you and snap quite a few pictures…
I don’t know anyone who looks forward to their mammo. It’s this necessary evil check list item that they tick off and breathe a sigh of relief.
For some people.
Some people choose not to have mammograms. Some people choose to play Russian Roulette with their health…
Some people are scared, or busy or whatever…
But I guess it’s your body your choice, so I won’t be telling anyone what to do.
But anyway…back to me…and my breasts
So I got my mammo.
Then I had to wait for the results.
tick…tick…tick…
Isn’t waiting for anything the worst?
I was quite lucky that I got my results back that afternoon…first I got the actual lab results, which is all in medical jargon. But I understand enough to know that I had no signs of anything bad. In fact, my breasts were labelled as “fatty” not “dense”.
It’s the only time you want to see FATTY on your medical results…Fatty breasts are good…
Let’s hear it for the girls…
A few hours after the lab results I got the letter…
Dear LA,
We are pleased to inform you…
I felt like I got into college…They’d reviewed my submission and found my breasts acceptable…
The letter went on to say that I should continue to monitor my breasts for further developments…and I should feel free to contact them if I have any concerns…because my breast health is very important to them…
Is your breast health important to you?
Waking up on the Wrong Side of 50 
Breast cancer runs in our family therefore I’ve had an annual mammogram since I was 30. I’ve had a few scares but so far I’ve been clear. However I did have cervical cancer in my 20s (& dealt with it for 4-5 years)
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Good for you for checking and taking care of yourself!!
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I know that getting regular mammograms is serious business, but I like the way you dealt with it humorously. My wife doesn’t mind the pain and discomfort. It’s waiting for the results that drives her crazy, and the ever present threat of BC.
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Waiting is the worst!!
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And thank you!
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Your post reminded me that it is harder to be a woman than a man. Makeup and mammograms are two of the many reasons why.
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And childbirth….😆
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I am happy to hear your good results, LA. Breast health is important to all of us, and , although rare, men can also develop breast cancer.
It’s responsible, and caring to our loved ones, to monitor our health carefully. 🤗🌷
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Agree!
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I wouldn’t say I run joyfully toward the machine, but really I don’t find it so bad. Just had mine a few months ago as well and am also in the “fatty” club! The only time I really didn’t want to be at a mammo appt. was when I had the tech who was clearly a big time smoker. She reeked of cigarettes and you know how close they have to get to position you…
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Ewwwwww!
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For me, it doesn’t hurt, but I have dense tissue and always end up having to have an additional ultrasound before they are sure there is nothing to worry about.
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Arg…but you’re taking care of yourself and that’s all that matters
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I’m in your category – dense boobs. I prefer the ultrasound to the mammogram any day.
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I have “lumpy breasts.” Um, thank you? That means I had to start getting mammograms early. It’s been lots of fun. 🙂
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Ug…but you’re taking control of your health
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Yes. 🙂
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They’re quite the torture chamber device but, as they identified my cancer when it was nice & small, I have a vaguely affectionate feeling for them. The waiting is the worst and, over here where it generally takes 2-3 weeks to process a routine mammogram, the faster you get your results letter, the worse the news is likely to be. Receiving the results on the same day would’ve totally freaked me out!
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Here it’s usually really quick to get results. I’ve gotten lab results within in hour of giving a sample
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Your post made me chuckle. I must be one of the rare women who, besides being anxious about the results, doesn’t mind the actual mammogram test. I have to admit that some of the techs that administer the test are better than others, which makes the process different each time. But overall, up to this point I’ve been able to endure it, even with the less skilled administers. Since our hormones fluctuate, which can cause breast tenderness at times, I imagine those times would be quite uncomfortable. Thankfully, I haven’t had to get one during those times.
Thanks for reminding us that it’s important to get our breast exams, even if it’s not a pleasant experience. 🙂
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I figure it doesn’t hurt to remind people to just do it
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👍🏽
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Oh yeah…when I was younger I resented the exam because I felt like it was destroying any efforts on my part to keep my breasts from premature sagging!!!!!HA!
But I always (and still do) offer them up for the greater good of overall health when the time comes to get that mammogram!
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I figured it was worth a reminder to take all health concerns seriously
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I put off getting a mammogram for many years because I was scared. I finally did it though and, like you, my results were fine. I’m also part of the “fatty boob” club. Haha 😄
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👍💗
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Excellent and important PSA, LA. Bravo. And the same could be said for getting vaccinated! Taking care of your health, and in the case of a COVID vax, the health of others as well.
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Health is important
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When you turn 50 here in Ontario you are automatically enrolled in a program and sent an annual (if dense breasts) or every 2 years reminder letter – they actually used to make the appointment for you, but now you have to call in, but I haven’t seen one this year yet. Not sure if it’s because I just turned 65, or if it is a result of Covid. I read somewhere that women were being encouraged to wait 6 weeks after their Covid vaccines as they were getting too many reports of false positive enlarged lymph nodes which later disappeared, but caused a lot of anguish for the patient. I find the test uncomfortable as I’m small and have a bony breastbone sticking out on the left side which is always a problem, but usually it’s over quick…..I say usually as it depends on what technician you get. I hate the waiting too, but now they tell you it’s read the same day and if you don’t hear in a day, you’re okay and you just get the form letter in the mail five days later. In the past you had to wait weeks, and I’m sure the long waiting period discouraged a lot of women from doing it in the first place!
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I heard the same thing about the vaccine. I had to give the dates of both my doses before I got my mammo
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Great article LA!
I cannot stress enough how important it is for men to also pay attention to your article as they are also susceptible to breast cancer.
It’s so important not to allow fear to get in the way of our health! Awareness is the key.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
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💗💗💗
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Congrats! That’s great news LA!
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💗
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Yay on your normal results!
Noting for the record that men’s testicular exams do not require them to place that body part onto plates where they are squeezed/crushed.
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Yeah…what’s up with that?
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😳
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Good news on the results. I have mine done too. Not pleasant but I’ve gone through worse stuff.
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👍
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Mammograms are not a smash hit with me, but I do what I have to do to stay safe and healthy!
LA, I’m happy to hear your results were good!
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Thank you!
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I admire your honesty sharing this 🙂 acceptable is good news indeed. LA I’m pleased to hear you had the all clear, I’m of that age where a colon cancer test is due (icky but it’s gotta be done)……..🤔but now I’m wondering how large a cup is fatty and dense?
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It’s not about size….😉
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I have a mammogram every year, because I’ve had cancer elsewhere. Why take chances??
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Exactly
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I’m beyond where I should have gotten my first one. I absolutely need to go, but I dread it on every level because of stories like yours about how uncomfortable it is. I had managed to convince myself to finally go about the time that Covid hit. So, yeah… still dreading it.
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I know…but think about it!
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It’s too painful so I refuse to do it. My gynaec often does a physical check but I haven’t been for a check for some years.
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I know it sucks…
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I completely agree, the mammogram was designed by a sadist, and if men had to do it I’m sure there would be a more pleasant procedure. When I broke my rib a few months ago I was scheduled for this procedure which had to be put off but now I’m almost back to normal I’m hesitating. Ugg! Why can’t they just do a ultra sound? Anyway, glad to know you got the all clear! You’ve motivated me to get this done. Yuck, C
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Just get it done. You’ll breathe a sigh of relief and won’t think about the torture chamber till next year
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Hooray for healthy girls! I’m blessed with more than a handful each side, which makes mammograms quite an experience. I fainted in one once! Fortunately there’s a quick release button!!
I lost my mother nearly a year ago to breast cancer. She had stopped checking every month… she didn’t think she needed to at the age of 79. Lesson learned… never stop checking them🥰
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You fainted? Arghhhhh! But yes…I’m in there holding my breath forever!!! And the room is never the right temperature
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Yup! I hadn’t eaten enough before the appointment, got all stressed with holding breath, too hot, then lights out! Now I go armed with emergency chocolate 😁
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This year I was holding my breath with the mask on, which is way harder than it sounds
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I HATE going to get mammograms. For all the reasons you listed, it’s stresses me tf out EVERY SINGLE TIME. I know everyone may not agree, but I decided long ago to only go every other year. It is important to me, but I cannot describe the anxiety I suffer before, during, and after (waiting for the results).
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Well, in some countries you can only get them every other year, so you’re just being Canadian…
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LOL
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😉
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Definitely get them checked. It saved my life ❤️
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💗💗💗congrats on checking and doing what needed to be done!!
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Actually mine was discovered during a neuroendocrine PET scan as I had paraneoplastic syndrome with it, hence the need to constantly check. You just never know. I urge everyone to be brave and go ❤️
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💗💗💗
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I hate mammograms. But one of my first clients when I had had a marketing/PR business was a Comprehensive Breast Center and Cancer Center. I got very educated about the risks and importance of mammograms. That being said, I was humiliated and never wanted to go back — didn’t go back for six years — when the woman running the machine made fun of my small breast size three or four times in ten minutes!
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Noooooo!! See….it’s things like this…..
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Very important! My mom is a breast cancer survivor. 💗 And mine get the “extremely dense” label. Oh well. 😉
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But we keep in checking
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It’s good to check the body for abnormalities. Important for everyone. Oh, and, kudos on the report! 😉
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💗💗
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💖
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Happy for your good result, LA. Had mine done last week, but waiting for results doesn’t bother me. I don’t even think about it. I don’t have any reason to believe things aren’t fine. My cholesterol though… Ah, it’s just a number, right?
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Yeah…quarantine did not help that number ….😆
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Yes, the girls get screened every year. Once there was a “suspicious” reading and I had to go for a breast ultrasound. That was stressful. But, it was only because the denseness of the tissue didn’t get a good reading with the machine. I will say I believe the machines have come a long way to being less painful than they were 15 years or so ago. Those experiences were like laying on the garage floor and closing the automatic door on them! Happy you had good results! 💜
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Better…but still….bleh….
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Congrats on the good news! I get a mammogram every year. They’re not too painful, but they aren’t exactly fun either. Mine did say that mine are a bit “dense” but they could still get an accurate reading. But that left me wondering, if my breasts are so dense, they why are they also so saggy????
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😉glad they’re ok though….
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Had mine last month, I always find the left breast doesn’t mind too much but the right hurts like hell, and often bruises. We don’t get a report here in the UK, (well not with the NHS, not sure with private).
We get a letter a couple of weeks later telling us either all clear or contacted your GP.
Happy to hear you have the all clear
Bright Blessings
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💗
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So happy to hear that. May you be blessed with longlasting health and happiness. Stay strong.
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Yay on your good report! I think we all do breathe a sigh of relief when we get that letter. Your post just reminded me that I need to call and schedule an appt. I got my letter in the mail telling me its time. I get one every 6 months now, because of something they saw which is nothing to be concerned about right now, but they just want to keep an eye on it. Yes, I do care, nobody wants to hear the words breast cancer, but that’s not a reason to not go! For we all know that the earlier something is caught the better chances you have.
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Completely agree
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This is something I really can’t relate to being a man, but I understand it is painful. Waiting for results is horrible, but at least you didn’t get a phone call. That’s when things are bad and they want to do something right away. Keep up with your preventative screenings. They are so important.
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Imagine your delicate parts being pressed like a panini….and you need to hold your breath while doing it….
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Yikes ! No fun at all
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Exactly
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Lol love this…and yes I take it seriously because my aunt had it so I have to do my checks regularly
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💗
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