Can You Get a Mammogram While Breastfeeding?
Key Takeaways
- It is safe to get a mammogram while lactating and breastfeeding.
- You don’t need to stop breastfeeding or “pump and dump” after a mammogram.
- Breastfeeding or pumping about 30 minutes before a mammogram can make it a more comfortable experience.
- If you notice a lump, pain, or other breast changes, ask your doctor about breast imaging.
- Breastfeeding can make breast tissue denser, which can make imaging more challenging. But mammograms shouldn’t be delayed.
It’s important to stay up to date with breast imaging—even if you’re breastfeeding. Though breastfeeding changes the appearance and density of breast tissue in imaging, you shouldn’t postpone a mammogram if screening or testing is recommended.
University of Rochester Medicine breast imaging specialist Patricia Melendez Moreno, MD, explains why it’s safe for nursing mothers to get mammograms and how to best prepare for screening.
Can You Get a Mammogram While Breastfeeding?
Yes. Mammograms are safe during breastfeeding because they use a very low level of radiation.
Whether or not you are breastfeeding, your recommended screening is based on age and individual breast cancer risk. The current American College of Radiology guidance says screening mammography is usually recommended beginning at age 40 for women of average risk. Women with a high lifetime risk of breast cancer can start annual screening mammogram earlier, at age 30.
Should I Delay Getting a Mammogram If I’m Breastfeeding?
“A delay in screening can potentially delay diagnosis,” says Dr. Melendez Moreno.
Pregnancy and lactation cause changes in breast tissue, including increased density and breast size. These changes can make it more difficult to see some abnormalities on a mammogram. But studies show that mammography can still detect breast cancer in lactating patients.
Can You Breastfeed After a Mammogram?
Yes. You can breastfeed normally after a mammogram and do not need to pump and discard your breast milk. A mammogram uses X-rays to create images of the breast. The radiation does not remain in your body after the exam and does not accumulate in breast milk.
Mammography differs from other imaging tests that use medications or contrast agents, so you should always consult your imaging team if you are breastfeeding and having different types of imaging done.
Should You Pump Before a Mammogram?
Breastfeeding or pumping about 30 minutes before your mammogram can make the exam more comfortable. It can also improve image quality because decreasing the amount of milk in the breasts reduces breast density.
Will Breastfeeding Affect Mammogram Results?
Breastfeeding can change the appearance of breast tissue, but it does not mean a mammogram won't work.
“Breast density increases during pregnancy and lactation, which makes small lesions harder to see,” says Dr. Melendez Moreno. “But studies show that mammographic sensitivity is high, ranging from 74% to 100%.”
Imaging with high sensitivity means the provider can detect most abnormalities.
What Is Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer?
Pregnancy-associated breast cancer, or PABC, is breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within one year after childbirth.
PABC is uncommon, but it is important to recognize because breast changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding can sometimes make a cancer diagnosis more difficult. Delaying imaging of a concerning breast change can delay diagnosis and lead to a poor prognosis.
What Should You Do If You Find a Lump While Breastfeeding?
Most lumps that occur during lactation are benign. But you should not assume a new or concerning breast change is due to breastfeeding.
Talk with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- A new or persistent breast lump
- Breast pain in one targeted area
- Skin changes, such as an orange-peel appearance or skin dimpling
- A suspicious or unusual change in the nipple
- Suspicious unilateral nipple discharge
What Imaging Is Used for a Breast Lump?
Your doctor will suggest imaging based on your age and symptoms.
If you are younger than 30, testing will likely start with an ultrasound. A diagnostic mammogram can also be performed if necessary as part of the evaluation. If you are 30 or older, ultrasound and diagnostic mammography may be part of the initial evaluation.
Due for a Mammogram?
Even if you’re breastfeeding, it’s important to stay up to date on breast cancer screening. URochester Medicine offers screening and diagnostic mammography, including 3D mammography/tomosynthesis, at locations throughout Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.