Having my first 3D mammogram, your experience?

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gapeach79
gapeach79 Member Posts: 21
edited January 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi All,

I'm having my first 3D mammogram in a few weeks, and I wanted to see if any of you would be willing to share your experience with me. I've been BIRADS 2 for the last two years now, and hopefully, that hasn't changed, but I feel better about having the 3D mammogram because we know there is SOMETHING there, and because I have dense breasts (along with implants).


Thank you in advance for sharing!

Comments

  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2017

    I am a real believer in 3D mammograms.  It saved my sister's life and many people I've been in contact with over the last 3 years!

    Glad you are doing it!!!

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited January 2017

    I really have not noticed any difference between the two formats in the procedure; it's just the quality of the resulting info that's different. I wouldn't worry about it feeling any different, one way or another.

  • Jennie93
    Jennie93 Member Posts: 1,018
    edited January 2017

    The mammogram place I go to switched to the 3D type about 2 or 3 years ago. The machine looks no different, they still squish you just as hard, the only difference I could tell was, it takes a few seconds longer, and they ask you to hold your breath while it takes the picture (extra important to hold very still, I presume).





  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited January 2017

    They feel the same to you, but the technology is way different. They can peel away layer by layer and both rule in and out most problems without further tests. The first time I had one, they noticed a 'spot' and just by scrolling through the layers they could see that it was merely as spot where two blood vessels came together. Very impressive. It was the first time I actually felt like progress was being made.

  • labelle
    labelle Member Posts: 721
    edited January 2017

    I didn't notice much difference when I switched from a regular mammogram to the 3D version. Their pictures might be better, but the experience is pretty much the same.

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited January 2017

    No difference to me except takes a few seconds more than the old way but infinitely better for diagnostic reasons.

  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited January 2017

    I didn't notice any difference either. The results should be better, but your experience should be virtually the same. Good luck!

  • Marikan
    Marikan Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2017

    I had my 3D mammogram a week ago. There wasn't much difference from regular mammogram. I think they squeezed my breast a little bit harder and I had to hold my breathe for a few seconds while they did the actual imaging. The little plate that my breast rested on was also much smaller. I'm not sure but I think this might be what is called spot compression? It was over and done quite quickly

  • PNWskier
    PNWskier Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2017

    It wasn't much different. I got one this December as soon as the imaging place I go to got the 3D machine. It showed a suspicion of a tumor which has now been confirmed by other testing. If I hadn't gotten the 3D I would not have been diagnosed since I have dense breasts. The regular mammogram didn't show any abnormalities.


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