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[Sarai]

I've read the pros and cons of both and experienced both, my question is has anybody managed to get ultrasound as opposed to mammogram because of a serious back injury and breast reduction. My last one had me in tears it was so very very painful and difficult as I've lost so much height I ca barely reach the machine. I don't want to dodge it as I'm on hrt but I don't want a mammogram either. The other advantage of ultrasound is Ill know immediately as opposed to waiting.

[CLKD]

Ultra sound gives a different view of the breast tissue.  Why not ring the dept and explain the circumstances, also ask if an ultra sound would be avialble.  Is there a breast nurse that you could contact for advice?

[HellsBells]

Younger women have more dense breast tissue and are more likely to have problems picked up with ultrasound. . A mammogram MISSED the aggressive Triple Negative breast cancer that I experienced and the ultrasound picked it up. Although in a small % of cases a hefty dose of radiation to a sensitive area of tissue can accelerate tumour growth. That was their explanation for missing it - not sure I buy that. There is research to support however.

Better to have ultrasound than nothing and definitely have it if you are under 55. Been there, bought the T-shirt. I was 41 years old.

[Stella2]

Hello Sarai,

I hope you will get a referral for an ultrasound but just thought to mention that my first mammogram was extremely painful and I skipped the next one due to this. However, I went on HRT and realised that I should have regular mammograms. I took 2 paracetamols before my appointment. It worked well and my last 2 mammograms had not been that painful. x

[Mary G]

The clinic I go to recommends a yearly mammogram and then an ultrasound immediately afterwards. 

For some reason, the breast specialist who conducts the ultrasound likes to have the mammogram on the screen in front of them for reference purposes but they have said that overall, ultrasound is more useful than a mammogram because it picks up the tiniest detail.  Apparently a mammogram is better at spotting calcification but ultrasound can differentiate between benign and sinister breast tissue and confirm whether or not a lump is a harmless cyst.

[Arya Underfoot]

Hi Sarai, I too have had a breast reduction and have a back injury. The first time I had a mammogram it was so painful but since peri kicked in it wasn't so bad. For my last check up I had an MRI on my breasts instead of a mammogram. There's no pain, just weird noises. Maybe this might be something to consider.

[Jules]

I've read the pros and cons of both and experienced both, my question is has anybody managed to get ultrasound as opposed to mammogram because of a serious back injury and breast reduction. My last one had me in tears it was so very very painful and difficult as I've lost so much height I ca barely reach the machine. I don't want to dodge it as I'm on hrt but I don't want a mammogram either. The other advantage of ultrasound is Ill know immediately as opposed to waiting.

Hi Sarai, I once was given ultrasound instead of mammogram because I'd had a mammogram too recently. I don't understand that now as I've been recalled twice and given repeat mammograms so maybe practice has changed. But I also find them painful for the reason I'm not well endowed, I feel it dragging my skin from above and once went faint. I now feel more sensitive as i had some breast tissue removed by vacuum biopsy and that caused very severe bruising and swelling. I now explain when I go and usually find them very helpful and I also take pain killers as someone suggested

[paisley]

I always have a mammogram & ultrasound but I live in Spain so maybe they do things differently here.