Quote from: Courtney G on January 16, 2024, 02:21:39 PMI had my annual wellness exam last month and asked my doc if I should get a mammogram, but he didn't suggest it. He did give me a manual exam (same thing last year). I dread going, since I present male, but I feel like I need to soon. My breasts have been growing for a little over 2 years. There's a rule of thumb for when to get your first exam, but I'm not sure what it is. Perhaps someone will chime in with some info.

I cringed when I read what happened.  I don't know what to say here.  To me, I can understand having an annual examination.

However, you are a female and having a male doctor examine your breasts and a C cup at that, I'm sorry this makes my blood boil to put it mildly.

I know you dread going as a male and you mentioned you need to do something about it, I hope you do.

All I see is a female in your avatar,  In other words you would present to the world as a wonderful lady.

Best wishes for the future
Sarah B

Quote from: Sarah B on January 18, 2024, 02:25:54 AMI cringed when I read what happened.  I don't know what to say here.  To me, I can understand having an annual examination.

However, you are a female and having a male doctor examine your breasts and a C cup at that, I'm sorry this makes my blood boil to put it mildly.

I know you dread going as a male and you mentioned you need to do something about it, I hope you do.

All I see is a female in your avatar,  In other words you would present to the world as a wonderful lady.

Thank you, Sarah, for the support and the kind words. I honestly didn't mind the exam too much. He did the same last year: I just laid on my back and he quickly and gently palpated around each breast. I've been seeing him for many years, so I was as comfortable as I could be. That said, I feel that maybe I should switch to a female doc...I'm just not sure right now.

When I changed my gender marker on my NHS records I automatically got picked up by the national screening program and currently  have had 1 mammogram in Aug 2022, first and last under that system as it stops at 71, though 1 am still entitled to one every 3 years I will now have to request it manually. My next one will be next year but I will have to ask for it.

I too had the questioning as to why I do not have any records of previous ones and was it my first one. I explained I was a transgender woman, she was both surprised, kind and helpful. I did not find it too unpleasant and not as bad as Shirls always goes on about. She calls them squashagrams then again she is a big lady. I was only a B/C cup at the time

I was all clear, and I do check myself regularly. We have the same risks as any other woman so it is important that it is checked. I am too old to be screened for cervical cancer by a smear test that ends at 64, so I have been spared the embarrassment of declining that.

Hugs
Jessica xxx

Quote from: Mariah on January 16, 2024, 02:13:49 PMI delayed for a year at getting my first one, but have ever since gotten one every year since then. Last one occurring yesterday. Hugs
Mariah

Mariah,

I hope you also get a letter from the radiologist group (or whereber they did the mammogram) with an all clear message for you. 

Chrissy

I've had female GPs for the last 15 or so years.  Vastly preferred!  Always caring and professional.  Not looking forward to the squashograms.  But having seen the ravages of the disease, sign me up!

I'm feeling that I should switch to a female. This year, he didn't even check my prostate. I'm thinking he understands that it's pretty much a nonissue these days.

It was calming to see the mammogram results letter saying that there is no signs of breast cancer.  It did say that the mammogram does not detect everything, and if you feel any lumps in the future to contact your doctor.  I think that last part is boilerplate stated to anyone with good results but it is good advice.  If something that indicated breast cancer was seen from the mammogram I would not be writing this post and would be very nervous.  Thankfully, this was not the case.

So glad for you!  Keep on top of it.

I have had one every year for the last four years.  I actually go in a few weeks for another one.  I have a strong family history of cancer so it's yearly for me.  I had a male cousin die from breast cancer several years ago so I try to keep up on exams.

As for the pain I found it depends on which part of your cycle you are on when the exam happens.  I've had painful mammograms and non-painful ones.

As a tip do not wear deodorant to the exam.  It gives a false positive or something like that. 

Fantastic to know it all went well Chrissy. Xxx

Every girl should check themselves for any lumps or unusual changes at least once a week, daily even as part of getting dressed/undressed routine. It only takes a min at most.

I prefer seeing a female GP and my assigned GP is female, but we do not aways have a choice. My next appointment about cholesterol is Thursday with a male doc. But I would refuse to see a male doc for anything more than a simple review.

Hugs
Jessica xxx

If you have not scheduled your mammogram for this year, be sure to make an appointment if it is indicated or it is time soon to get it done.

Preventive health is important.  Consult your physician if you are not sure if this is something you should be doing or not.  Recommendations do change from time to time based on what the medical people think about what the proper time interval would be for your age or situation.

There may be a fear of not getting an "all clear" report.  Do the wise thing though.

Thank you for the reminder, ChrissyRyan. I shamefully admit that I actively resist mammograms and always drag my feet when the doctor encourages me to get it done. My problem with mammograms is that I fear for the stability of my 19 year old breast implants. I'm always terrified that one of them will rupture. I've had mammograms, and my implants have never ruptured. This is just my personal terror, I guess.

Don't be foolish like me! Take your health seriously and follow your doctor's recommendations! It's important.

Love! ❤️
Miharu

I don't even think that the ink was dry on my name/gender change before they were wanting me to take a mammogram and pap smear. I got the mammogram done but as I really haven't really had much in the way of breast development and no real sensitivity it didn't hurt that much.

I had a mammogram when I first started HRT. I asked the doctor about it and she said it was so they have a "baseline" on record. I suppose if I already had cancer before the HRT took effect, they could treat it right away and maybe postpone the meds. After that, I have had one every year, except last year. They changed my schedule to every two years since I am low-risk.

I wouldn't say it is painful. Certainly not comfortable getting squished, but not really painful.

Quote from: Lori Dee on January 17, 2025, 06:02:15 PMThey changed my schedule to every two years since I am low-risk.

They changed mine to every two years, too.  Not that I was considered high-risk, but my breasts had "heterogeneous density", which made it hard for the radiologist to see potential lumps.  So I was on an every-year schedule.  But apparently the density must have evened out enough that I can go on the same two-year schedule that applies to most women here.

Quote from: KathyLauren on January 18, 2025, 06:32:33 AMbut my breasts had "heterogeneous density"

Same here. The radiologist asked if I was taking estrogen. He said dense breasts are common for women on estrogen. He said they could order an ultrasound to determine if they need a biopsy if they find anything suspicious or if they can't see clearly enough.

I thought, why don't they use ultrasound as the default? Low radiation risk, clearer imaging, and no uncomfortable "squish". Plus you get someone to rub your boobs for you. 

I had second thoughts on mentioning that I have Level C density as I did not want to scare off anyone to get her mammogram.  I am awaiting to see if an ultrasound or a more sophisticated 3D imaging procedure is now required. 

I am firm and perky but not big.  I am on the lower fullness side of a B cup.


Chrissy

In addition I have started again having tingling in my breasts.  This has led to growth spurts sometimes in the past.  But with this heterogeneous density I am a bit apprehensive.  I am wondering if estrogen should be reduced for me.  I will leave that up to my physicians.

I have been getting one for a few years now and today will be the next one. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 18, 2025, 09:36:10 AM. . . I am awaiting to see if an ultrasound or a more sophisticated 3D imaging procedure is now required. . .

Chrissy

I will not need an ultrasound or a MRI because of dense breast tissue.  So I am relieved.