Dreading your next mammogram appointment? You’re not alone. Many people consider mammograms painful, and fear of discomfort can make it harder to go to an appointment.

Aside from concerns about chest soreness, it’s also common to feel anxious about mammogram results, especially if you have a personal or family history of breast cancer.

Some chest or breast pain can occur during and shortly after a mammogram. Compressing the breast is part of getting clear breast images. Still, questions like “How long will I be sore?” or “Is breast pain two weeks after a mammogram normal?” are worth taking seriously.

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Mammograms remain a recommended breast cancer screening test for many people starting at age 40. Pain can often be reduced with good positioning and communication with the technologist, so it’s important not to skip or delay screening because you’re worried about discomfort.

Here’s what you can expect and how to make sure pain doesn’t lead you to postpone your mammograms.

What Causes Mammogram Pain?

Mammography compression, which can involve forces up to 200 newtons or 45 pounds, can be associated with mild to severe pain. Certain factors may contribute to pain during a mammogram.

Compression

During the test, the breast is placed on a platform and compressed with a paddle. Flattening the breast helps:

• Show more tissue
• Separate overlapping tissue
• Lower the X-ray dose needed
• Keep the breast still to improve image sharpness

The first phase of the mammogram, which flattens the breast tissue, may cause pain. The second clamping phase, which keeps the breast still, may make the pain worse.

If you’ve had painful mammograms in the past, the anticipation of pain can also make the experience feel harder.

Breast Size

Breast size may contribute to pain during a mammogram. Some studies suggest that people with smaller breasts may feel more pain during mammograms because they often feel more pressure.

Researchers are studying whether compression during mammograms can be more comfortable when it’s tailored to each person. Research has found this approach may reduce pain without major effects on image quality or radiation dose.

Other Factors

Other potential contributing factors to how much pain you’ll have during a mammogram include:

• Breast tenderness before the exam
• Breast volume
• Your menstrual cycle
• Having implants
• Your anxiety level

You may also be more prone to mammogram pain if you’ve had breast-conserving surgery, such as a lumpectomy, for breast cancer in the past.

Damaged Breast Tissue

Rare cases have been reported where lasting or severe pain was a sign of damaged breast tissue after mammogram. Significant bruising, swelling, or worsening pain should be checked by a healthcare professional.

How To Reduce Pain During Mammograms

Researchers have suggested that shortening the clamping phase of a mammogram and using a slower, more personalized compression approach may help reduce mammogram pain.

Many facilities already try to personalize compression. If you feel discomfort, it may help to tell your mammogram technologist.

Before or during the mammogram, you can:

• Tell the technologist if you’ve had painful mammograms before.
• Ask whether they can adjust your positioning.
• Ask if compression can be applied more slowly and evenly.
• Tell the technologist when the pressure reaches your pain limit.
• Speak up if the pain gets worse while your breast is being held still.
• Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are usually least tender if you have menstrual cycle-related breast pain.

The technologist still needs to get a clear image, but they may be able to use less compression if you’re in discomfort. Sharing your concerns about pain and using these tips may help you have a better experience.

How To Manage Post-Mammogram Pain

For some people, breast or chest wall soreness can last a few days after a mammogram. One study found that participants experienced moderate pain up to four days after their mammogram.

An over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may make a mammogram more comfortable or ease discomfort after the procedure. Ask your healthcare provider which pain medicine is safe for you.

You should also ask your healthcare provider before applying heating pads, cold packs, or other forms of pain relief.

Breast pain two weeks after a mammogram is less typical than soreness that lasts a few days. If pain is not improving, lasts more than a few days, or feels severe, call your healthcare provider.

When To Consult Your Doctor

Short-term soreness is different from a mammogram injury or damaged breast tissue after a mammogram. Call your doctor if you notice:

• Breast pain that doesn’t improve after several days
• New or worsening swelling
• A new breast lump or a painful or enlarging bruise
• Redness, skin discoloration, or warmth that suggests irritation or infection

Chest wall pain after a mammogram may also be caused by an underlying issue, such as:

• A pulled chest muscle
• Costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage in the ribs)
• Neuritis (inflammation of the nerves in the ribs)
• Broken ribs
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart- or lung-related issues

If you have breast implants, call your doctor if you notice a change in breast or implant shape or size, an uneven appearance, persistent pain or tenderness, or swelling.

Mammograms don’t cause heart attacks, but a heart attack can occur around the same time as a mammogram. That’s why chest pain that happens around the time of a mammogram may still need urgent evaluation if it has signs of heart-related pain.

Call 911 or emergency services if chest discomfort feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain, or if it occurs with:

• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness
• Pain spreading to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

Listen to your intuition, and don’t be afraid to speak up about your concerns after a mammogram.

Join the Conversation

On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you had chest or breast pain after a mammogram? Let others know in the comments below.