Is it advisable to go for a mammogram eventhough you are ok and dont have a lump?

Screening mammograms are named screening because that is exactly what they are! Mammograms are designed to find a breast cancer when it is so small that you cannot feel a lump. One of the early signs of breast cancer are certain types of microcalcifications, and these are the size of sand. That is not something you will ever feel (or see on an ultrasound, for that matter). The earlier you find a breast cancer, the more likely you can be cured. Finding breast cancer equals a longer life for you....not to mention a better quality of life.

Mammograms should not be painful. They can be uncomfortable for some women, and other women aren't at all bothered by the exam. If you are tender breasted, you might feel more discomfort. Make your appointment for after you have started your menstrual period, when the breasts are the least tender. Caffine also makes tender breasts more tender for many women, so consider limiting your intake (coffee, tea, chocolate) for a few days prior to a mammogram.

Size of the breasts have nothing to do with the level of discomfort. Both small and large breasts can be tender. We don't compress the breasts to a magical number. A large breast might be compressed until the breast measures 6 cm thick. A small breast could be compressed until it measures 3 cm. So, in this case, size does not matter!

Now, lets assume that mammographic exams are VERY painful, for arguments sake. A routine, screening mammogram consists of 4 images....2 views on each breast. The total time of compression for those 4 images is about 45 seconds. I can do anything for 45 seconds, especially if those 45 seconds can greatly impact my future and my quality of life. Sounds like a small price to pay, doesn't it?

I am 35, and I have my baseline, screening mammogram scheduled for the end of August. Hopefully, I can then wait until I am 40. Then, either every year or every other year (once I turn 50), I will have annual exams. You will beat yourself up if you skip your mammogram, and later (God forbid) develop a breast cancer which has grown undetected for years. I have heard that a breast cancer which can be felt has been there for about 5 years (this is from the conferences which mammographers must attend to keep our licenses). Best wishes to you!

Absolutely. Manual exams can not feel all of the breast tissue, just the parts near the surface. A mammogram will image all of the tissue.

My mom was 35 when she had breast cancer. She felt a lump in her left breast and went to the doctor. When they did the mammogram, they found that the lump in her left breast was benign, but she had a mass in the deep tissue of her right breast. Neither she, nor the doctor had felt it during manual examination. The doctor said that she was lucky she had felt the lump in her left breast, because the cancer had been growing in her right breast for about 3 years before they found it. She was almost beyond the point of a hope for recovery. Luckily she beat it, and is now a 25 year cancer survivor.

You can't feel all of your breast with your fingers. You need to have a mammogram in order to "see" the inside of your breast to check for lumps that can't be felt or otherwise identified.

I've also heard it can be painful, but so can cancer, and cancer can do a ton of damage to you, while mammograms are not at all damaging in the long-term.

Momentary pain to save you years of pain or possibly death? I think it's worth it.

Go and get your baseline mammogram - it is easier for a doctor to see cancerous changes in your breast if she has a picture of your breasts when they're healthy.

The procedure might be a bit uncomfortable but is absolutely should not be painful - if it is then tell your x-ray technician to readjust her plates or you so that it is more comfortable.

Make the appointment! and Good luck!

Wouldn't you rather find a lump when it's still small enough to not feel? I know it is supposed to be uncomfortable, but I plan on getting them yearly when I hit 40. My Dr. just told me today that 80% of women who get breast cancer don't have a family history of it, so anyone really can get this and the earlier they catch it the better! Plus, then you won't have to worry about whether there is a problem or not because you will know!

it may be painful but it is an important part of your health no matter if there's no lumps...would you skip a pap because they're uncomfortable? no, one pap, one mammogram can detect the smallest thing early and save you...get you ahead of the game instead of finding out six months later and that is six months later you could have helped your health...never skip a pap or mammogram...it' beneficial to your health and body...

I can't speak to whether it's painful or not -- I've never had one. I have heard that it's cold.

My philosophy is: It's better making sure that you *don't* have cancer, rather than waiting until you have to find out if you *do* have cancer. The earlier it's caught, the better. It's certainly painful if you wait too long...

P.S. I speak as one who has an appointment for a prostate exam next week. So I have some empathy for how you feel. :o}

mammograms are not just for those who already have lumps. They are also for those to make sure you don't and catch in time before it is to late.

Yes, you should have been having preiodic mammograms before this as they can detect disorders which you may not feel. So please don't delay. There may be some discomfort but it should not be noticeably painful. I have small but very sensitive ones, and I survive it, so you can too!

YES!!!! Self exams are not that reliable. After the age of 30 you need to get one every 2 years. After 40, every year. It may be uncomfortable, but think of the alternative!