Do Mammograms Hurt? Seven Things You Can Do to Reduce Painful Mammograms

Do mammograms hurt? It's a common question we get here at the Denver Health Breast Care Center, especially from people going in for their first breast screening exam. Because getting a mammogram regularly is the number one way to detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable, the small amount of pain you might experience could save your life.

We recommend all persons with breasts age 40 and above, who are at average risk of breast cancer get yearly mammograms. Those at higher risk should talk to their doctors to see if they need to be screened earlier and/or more often.

 

 

At Denver Health, we want you to take charge of your screening experience and not be afraid to speak up when you are getting your exam. We are your partner in your care. In this blog, we will cover what you need to know about causes of pain during a mammogram and some simple things you can do make sure you have the most comfortable mammogram experience possible.

What You Need to Know About Causes of Pain During a Mammogram

Several factors affect whether a mammogram causes pain or discomfort, including:

• The skill of the technician performing the mammogram.
• Your own anxiety about having the mammogram.
• The structure of your breast.

We use an X-ray machine to take photos of your breasts to see if any cancer is present. If the machine is not in the right position, this can also cause pain or discomfort. For example, some people have to contort their backs, due to the height of the machine. This can lead to back or neck pain from muscle strain.

It is important to inform the technician if the position of the machine feels uncomfortable, so that they can work with you to find the correct position.

Anyone who has fibrocystic breasts — meaning breasts that have harmless cysts — is also more likely to experience pain during a mammogram.

How to Reduce Pain During a Mammogram

There are several ways you, the patient, can help prevent a mammogram from being painful.

The first and most important step is to choose a suitable clinic where you can communicate openly with your technologist, which is something we encourage at Denver Health.

Next, a person can consider the following seven things to reduce pain during mammograms:

1. Timing: Schedule your mammogram for the week after a menstrual period. During and immediately before a period, hormonal swings can increase breast sensitivity.
2. History: Inform your technician about any history of painful mammograms.
3. Caffeine and tobacco use: Consuming less caffeine and avoiding smoking may help reduce breast tenderness.
4. Over-the-counter drugs: Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen, 45–60 minutes before the screening may help reduce the pain.
5. Breathing: Taking slow, deep breaths before your screening can reduce tension-induced pain, and it may ultimately help produce a more accurate image.
6. Don't move during the exam: Moving — even taking a breath — while the technician is actually taking the X-ray can blur the image.
7. Delay if nursing: Anyone who is breastfeeding or chestfeeding, but who will wean soon, may want to delay mammograms to avoid discomfort.

Will I Feel Pain After Getting a Mammogram?

Some people feel sore after getting a mammogram. This tenderness shouldn't be worse than any pain you feel during the actual X-ray process.

The level of soreness or sensitivity you feel after a mammogram is impossible to predict. It has a lot to do with these three things:

• How you are positioned during the exam.
• The shape of your breasts.
• Your personal pain tolerance.

Some people may even have minor bruising after a mammogram, especially if they're on blood thinning medication.

You may find that wearing a padded sports bra is more comfortable than wearing a bra with underwire for the rest of the day of your mammogram.

The good news is – most people who get mammograms don't feel any lingering pain at all once the procedure is over.

Other Side Effects to Expect After a Mammogram

A mammogram shouldn't cause alarming or long-term side effects to your breast tissue.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the amount of radiation used for a screening mammogram of both breasts is minimal, about the same amount someone would get from their natural surroundings in about seven weeks, and the benefits of being tested early for breast cancer outweigh any risk or side effects of the radiation.