Mammogram FAQ

Mammograms involve breast compression, which can cause discomfort ranging from mild pressure to moderate pain. The compression lasts only a few seconds per image. Most women describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful.

Tips to reduce discomfort:

• Schedule 1-2 weeks after your period when breasts are less tender
• Avoid caffeine for a few days before your appointment
• Consider taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen 30-60 minutes before
• Tell the technologist if you're very uncomfortable—they can adjust

Deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, and lotions can contain particles (like aluminum in antiperspirants) that show up as white spots on mammogram images. These spots can mimic or obscure calcifications, potentially leading to misinterpretation.

If you forget and wear deodorant, don't worry—most facilities have wipes to remove it before the exam.

The entire appointment typically takes 20-30 minutes, including:

• Check-in and paperwork: 5-10 minutes
• Changing: 2-3 minutes
• Actual imaging: 10-15 minutes

You'll spend just a few seconds in compression for each image. First-time mammograms or diagnostic mammograms may take longer.

Yes, you can get a mammogram while breastfeeding, though the dense lactating breast tissue can make interpretation more difficult. To improve image quality:

• Nurse or pump right before your appointment to empty the breasts
• Let the technologist know you're breastfeeding
• Consider waiting until you're done breastfeeding if no symptoms are present

The radiation from a mammogram does NOT affect breast milk or make it unsafe for your baby.

Yes, women with breast implants can and should get mammograms. Special techniques called implant displacement views (Eklund technique) push the implant back to image more breast tissue.

• Tell the facility when scheduling so they allow extra time (8 images instead of 4)
• Mammography is safe for both saline and silicone implants
• There's a very small risk of implant rupture (about 1 in 10,000 mammograms)
• Some facilities specialize in imaging patients with implants

The radiation dose from a mammogram is very low—about 0.4 millisieverts (mSv), similar to about 7 weeks of natural background radiation.

For perspective:

• Natural background radiation (yearly): ~3 mSv
• Round-trip cross-country flight: ~0.03 mSv
• Chest X-ray: ~0.1 mSv
• Mammogram: ~0.4 mSv
• CT scan (chest): ~7 mSv

The benefits of early cancer detection far outweigh the minimal radiation risk. Mammography facilities are strictly regulated by the FDA.

The theoretical risk of radiation-induced cancer from mammography is extremely small—estimated at about 1-2 cancers per 100,000 women screened over a lifetime. Compare this to the 12,500 out of 100,000 women who will develop breast cancer naturally.

Studies consistently show that the benefit of mammography (early detection, reduced mortality) far outweighs any potential radiation risk.

No. This is a common myth. Breast compression during mammography does not cause cancer and does not spread existing cancer. The compression is firm but brief (just seconds) and is necessary to:

• Spread breast tissue evenly for clearer images
• Reduce the radiation dose needed
• Hold the breast still to prevent blurring

Results are typically available within 1-2 weeks. You'll receive:

• A written summary mailed to you (required by law)
• Often, results are also available through an online patient portal
• Your healthcare provider will also receive a copy

If you don't hear back within 2 weeks, call the imaging facility or your doctor's office.

An abnormal mammogram does NOT mean you have cancer. About 10-12% of women are called back for additional imaging, and fewer than 10% of those are diagnosed with cancer.

If you're called back, you may need:

• Additional mammogram views of a specific area
• Breast ultrasound
• Breast MRI (less common)
• Biopsy (if imaging remains concerning)

About 80% of biopsies come back benign. While waiting is stressful, try not to assume the worst.

Some women are called back more frequently than others. Reasons include:

• Dense breasts: More difficult to read, higher callback rates
• No prior images for comparison: First-time or new facility
• Technical issues: Need clearer images
• Stable findings being monitored: Benign cysts or calcifications

3D mammography (tomosynthesis) has been shown to reduce callback rates by 15-40%.

About 40-50% of women have dense breasts. It means you have more fibrous/glandular tissue than fatty tissue. This matters because:

• Dense tissue appears white on mammograms—so do tumors—making cancers harder to spot
• Dense breasts are associated with slightly higher breast cancer risk
• You may benefit from additional screening (ultrasound, MRI, or 3D mammography)

Learn more about dense breasts →

For average-risk women, major guidelines vary:

• USPSTF (2024): Start at 40, every 2 years
• American Cancer Society: Start at 45 (optional at 40-44), yearly
• ACR/SBI: Start at 40, yearly

Women at higher risk (family history, genetic mutations) may need to start earlier. Talk to your doctor about your personal risk factors.

See full guideline comparison →

It depends on who you ask:

• Annual screening catches more cancers earlier but leads to more false positives
• Biennial screening has fewer false positives but may miss some cancers

Radiology organizations (ACR, SBI) recommend yearly; the USPSTF recommends every two years. Discuss with your doctor based on your risk factors and preferences.

There's no universal cutoff age. Guidelines suggest continuing as long as:

• Your life expectancy is at least 10 years
• You're in reasonable health
• You would want treatment if cancer were found

The USPSTF says evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening women 75+. Discuss with your doctor.

If 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) is available and covered by your insurance, it's generally preferred because it:

• Detects 20-65% more invasive cancers
• Reduces false-positive callbacks by 15-40%
• Works better for women with dense breasts

However, 2D mammography remains effective. The most important thing is to get screened regularly.

Learn more about 3D vs 2D →

Yes, artificial intelligence is increasingly used in mammography as a "second reader" to help radiologists detect abnormalities. Studies show AI can improve cancer detection and reduce false positives. However, AI currently assists rather than replaces human radiologists—a trained specialist still reviews and interprets your images.