Ought to Mammograms be Painful? No—Ease Discomfort This Approach

Getting a mammogram isn’t going to really feel like a calming spa therapy. However ought to mammograms be painful? No. Luckily, there are a number of methods to make the take a look at much less bodily and emotionally uncomfortable.

Irrespective of how nervous and even anxious chances are you’ll really feel about getting a mammogram, the screening is crucial for the early detection of breast most cancers, says radiologist Dana Bonaminio, MD, who makes a speciality of breast imaging and image-guided procedures. “One in eight ladies will probably be recognized with breast most cancers in her lifetime. Routine exams can scale back the mortality charge of breast most cancers by 40 %¹, and may detect the illness earlier than it’s massive sufficient to really feel or trigger signs,” explains Dr. Bonaminio.

“Routine exams can scale back the mortality charge of breast most cancers by 40 %.” —Dana Bonaminio, MD

She says that early detection of breast most cancers not solely improves survival charges, however it may possibly additionally make therapy simpler and cheaper. Annual mammograms are the easiest way to remain on prime of tumor development in order that they don’t go undetected and advance into later levels, making therapy extra invasive.

To maintain us all from shying away from the examination, right here she shares the mammogram data everybody with breasts ought to know, in addition to her finest ideas that may assist make mammograms much less painful—each bodily and mentally.

What do you have to count on from a mammogram?

A part of the mammogram anxiousness that many individuals expertise has to do with merely not understanding what to anticipate. So Dr. Bonaminio walked us via the steps of a typical mammogram examination.

1. While you get to the examination room, a mammography technologist will information you into place on the machine to make sure that it captures the very best pictures potential.
2. Your breasts will probably be uncovered one by one to take two pictures with the mammography gadget. One picture will probably be of the highest and backside of the breast and the second back and forth.
3. In case you are getting a 3D mammography examination, the machine will transfer in an arc over your breasts, and chances are you’ll be requested to carry your breath throughout this a part of the examination.

“You’ll doubtless bear compression about 4 occasions at a number of totally different positions and angles,” provides Dr. Bonaminio. “Chances are you’ll really feel some discomfort throughout this, however the examination shouldn’t be painful.”

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Dr. Bonaminio says that whereas a mammogram could seem intimidating, particularly you probably have by no means had one earlier than, the entire course of may be very short-lived. “Mammograms are fast—a typical screening examination lasts about 20 minutes, with precise breast compression lasting about 10 to fifteen seconds for every picture,” says Dr. Bonaminio.

After your mammogram, a radiologist will overview your pictures and be in contact with outcomes inside a couple of days, both by cellphone or mail.

“Getting known as again for added views is pretty widespread, particularly after your first or baseline mammogram,” says Dr. Bonaminio. “Your radiologist may additionally ship you a report about your breast density. Should you uncover that you’ve dense breasts, make sure you ask for a 3D mammogram or tomosynthesis, which permits for higher most cancers detection in dense tissue than a 2D mammogram.”

Ought to mammograms be painful?

Whereas discomfort throughout a mammogram will range from affected person to affected person, Dr. Bonaminio says that some ladies might discover the compression and breast paddles used for a mammogram to be uncomfortable.

“Conventional compression paddles had been designed to put flat and weren’t inherently versatile, that means that they didn’t observe the pure form of the breasts,” explains Dr. Bonaminio. “Moreover, these units don’t at all times provide a uniform compression throughout the breast, which can result in ache and pinching.”

Luckily, mammogram tools has superior considerably—and these developments have made the examination comfy for most girls. “A lot of at present’s programs function curved compression paddles manufactured from acrylic that contour to the breast to assist scale back pinching,” says Dr. Bonaminio. “The truth is, these curved breast paddles have been proven to enhance consolation in 93 % of sufferers who beforehand reported reasonable to extreme discomfort utilizing commonplace mammography compression know-how.”

She provides that some sufferers might really feel discomfort through the mammogram when the technologist strikes you thru totally different positions and angles. A few of these actions might not really feel pure, however Dr. Bonaminio says the assorted positions are essential to seize the very best pictures of your breasts through the examination.

“Don’t hesitate to inform your mammography technologist if one thing feels uncomfortable throughout an examination,” says Dr. Bonaminio. “They are able to regulate your place and the machine’s compression to enhance your expertise.”

8 methods to make mammograms extra comfy

One key to having a optimistic mammogram examination expertise is setting your self up for fulfillment. Listed below are Dr. Bonaminio’s finest ideas:

1. Put on a two-piece outfit (slightly than a costume or jumpsuit) since you’ll have to take away your prime and bra for the examination.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask your technologist any questions you have got throughout your examination. The mammogram tech might help clarify all the steps of the process and stroll you thru what’s going to occur subsequent.
3. Schedule your mammogram one to 2 weeks after your interval as a result of the breasts are usually most tender the week earlier than and through menstruation.
4. Take an over-the-counter ache medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen an hour earlier than your mammogram to assist scale back discomfort.
5. Ask your technologist to make use of a curved breast compression paddle (if obtainable), which may reduce down on the pinching and discomfort.
6. Ask for a breast cushion. The pad can reduce down on compression ache as a result of will probably be positioned between your breasts and the underside plate of the machine.
7. Inform your technologist for those who’re experiencing discomfort. They are able to regulate compression ranges and assist place you in a manner that’s extra comfy.
8. Take into account scheduling your mammogram examination across the similar time as a good friend’s so that you simply each have a built-in help system and might help maintain one another accountable.

What to do for those who’re anxious about getting a mammogram

Whereas these at common danger will start annual mammograms at age 40, everybody with breasts ought to begin speaking to their healthcare supplier about screening by age 25, suggests Dr. Bonaminio. “Some sufferers could also be thought of high-risk as a result of a household historical past of breast most cancers, dense breast tissue, or different components,” she says. The necessary factor is to not let nerves maintain you from making the appointment.

“Attempt to view your mammogram as an everyday well being checkup, like a dental cleansing or annual bodily. The examination is an important device for bettering your well being in the long term,” says Dr. Bonaminio. “You may also create a listing of inquiries to ask your healthcare skilled or mammography technologist to remove a number of the unknowns concerning the examination.”

Merely put, early screening saves lives. “Annual screening mammography stays our greatest device within the struggle in opposition to breast most cancers,” says Dr. Bonaminio. “Being your personal advocate and taking an lively position in your breast well being is empowering!”