Good to share. Honestly, I had no clue before I went. I think my second one was worse than my first one bc I was surprised by the discomfort. I think it probably depends on a bunch of things like breast size, machine, operator, fluid retention, pain tolerance, etc.
I’d like to also share: don’t be freaked out if they make you come back in for additional imaging on account of “dense breast tissue”. I was freaked out when I got the call but apparently it’s common.
I get called back every. single. time. And then they have to send me for ultrasound anyway. 40% of afab women have dense breast tissue. My obgyn says breast MRIs would be ideal for cases like mine, but insurance companies will not cover them
Sorry to hear that but good to know. I didn’t even know MRI was used for breasts but I guess that makes sense - why wouldn’t it be?? I only recently learned that sometimes, US is used (my mom had to get one done by US while in hospital bc of physical limitations). This thread has been instructive!
Same here, especially common if you are younger.
That’s interesting. I didn’t know that. I had my first one around 40, I think.
Yeah, it's ever so lovely when your automated test results come back immediately with a big fat "ABNORMAL" label before anyone calls to tell you what's going on, and then you have to wait for days or weeks for the second test. Ask me how I know.
(The second scan was fine, and if I interpreted the doctorese correctly on that report, what the problem amounted to the first time was "boob was squished funny.")
Gotta get the right squish. 🤣
Exactly. Only precision, fine-tuned squishing will do.
That would freak me out! I got a phone call & they used ambiguous terminology - I was still freaked out. But I think I’m less sensitive now. My mom recently passed away from a surprise brain cancer diagnosis - after a 7 week rollercoaster in hospital, I think I’d be less paranoid now by findings.
Oh, I’m sorry about your mom — what a doozy of a thing to hit so suddenly!
Thanks. It really was. Cancer was not on the radar bc her family didn’t have any history. It’s a long story (she had Parkinson’s disease, still lived independently and didn’t suffer from headaches) but the experience has helped me better understand when I should step back and assess vs. panicking.