First mammograms after surgery and radiation treatments

Posted by baker1 @baker1, Apr 4, 2019

I am almost 5 months from my lumpectomy and 4months from last radiation treatment. I am a bit concerned about my first mammogram after surgery and treatments. Mammograms were uncomfortable before surgery. My mammogram is scheduled for late May, at 6 months post surgery. Recently my husband got a bit frisky and squeezed. It hurt! That got me to wondering. The mammograms squeeze much harder. Can anyone give me benefit of their experience?

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@ baker1 @baker1
I had to have a mammogram a month following radiation and was frightened about the pain as I still had severe burns and had two extensive breast surgeries as well on the affected side. I told my concerns to the tech and instead of having the mammogram machine come down via the push button on machine, she did it manually to the point of how much I could stand. They had to do it a second time and another tech came in to do it manually as well and it was quite gentle. So be sure to tell them what you have been through, your concerns, and ask if they can do it manually and gently. There will still be some pressure but it's more doable.

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@trixie1313 thanks for your reply. I will be getting the mammogram from the breast center that diagnosed and coordinated my surgery and treatments. They know what I have been through. I will ask them to be gentle. I'm sure they will as much as they can. Hopefully I will be more healed by the end of May.

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@baker1

@trixie1313 thanks for your reply. I will be getting the mammogram from the breast center that diagnosed and coordinated my surgery and treatments. They know what I have been through. I will ask them to be gentle. I'm sure they will as much as they can. Hopefully I will be more healed by the end of May.

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@baker1 - I just had my first 3D mammo after surgery and radiation that finished in September. I also have a biozorb which is a dissolvable marker. I told the technician about my concerns as the biozorb is hard and sore when pressed. I don't know if it was because of the 3D mammo or the technician but the pain was less than I have received in the past with a regular mammo. I'm sure they don't mind you letting them know your concerns. Good luck!

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Thank you @jeannie53. I will tell the girls doing the mammograms of my concern. The girls at my breast center are very nice and friendly. I felt comfortable with them. Like they were old friends even though I had just met them for the first time. It's good to hear that the mammogram may not be the touture that I feared. Though I do realize that everyone is different.

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