Pregnancy can bring up a lot of questions about what’s safe for you and your baby, especially when it comes to medical tests. If your doctor recommends a mammogram during pregnancy, it’s natural to wonder if the imaging could pose any risks.

Although mammograms are generally considered safe during pregnancy, they’re not recommended for everyone. Understanding when mammograms may be used during pregnancy and when other imaging tests might be a better option can help you feel more prepared.

Here’s what you need to know about getting a mammogram while pregnant.

Is a Mammogram During Pregnancy Safe?

A mammogram is a type of X-ray that takes pictures of breast tissue. It’s the main imaging test used to screen for breast cancer and other breast tissue abnormalities, such as a lump or unusual changes in the breast.

Although mammograms use X-rays, they’re generally considered safe during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. They expose you to only a small amount of radiation focused on the breasts, and this radiation does not affect breast milk.

Doctors and researchers generally consider mammograms safe during pregnancy. However, they can’t guarantee that radiation exposure will have no effect on a developing fetus. Due to this uncertainty, your doctor may recommend a different type of breast imaging while you’re pregnant.

What Other Breast Cancer Screening Tests May Be Used During Pregnancy?

Mammograms aren’t the only type of breast imaging that may be appropriate during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend other screening methods based on your age, breast cancer risk, and symptoms.

Ultrasound

Ultrasounds use sound waves to create pictures of breast tissue. Unlike a mammogram, which images the entire breast, an ultrasound is usually used to examine a specific area of concern. Ultrasounds are often used to determine whether lumps are solid masses or fluid-filled cysts.

Ultrasound is generally regarded as the preferred breast imaging test during pregnancy because it doesn’t use radiation. Ultrasounds can also provide clearer images of dense breast tissues than mammograms. Because breast tissue often becomes denser during pregnancy and breastfeeding, breast ultrasound is often preferred.

According to the ACR, breast ultrasound is generally preferred over mammography for people who:

• Are younger than 30 and have breast pain, a breast lump that can be felt, or suspicious nipple discharge
• Have a suspected breast infection or an abscess (a pus-filled lump)
• Previously had a breast ultrasound with findings that are likely noncancerous

Although ultrasounds can help determine whether a lump is solid or fluid-filled, they don’t reliably show whether a solid mass is cancerous. If a solid mass is detected, your doctor will likely recommend a mammogram or other tests to evaluate it further.

MRI

MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnet to create detailed images of breast tissue. Breast MRI images are often more detailed than those from mammograms or ultrasounds.

Although breast MRI doesn’t expose you to radiation, it’s not commonly recommended during pregnancy. This is mainly because most breast MRIs use gadolinium, a contrast agent that’s injected to improve image quality. Gadolinium can cross the placenta, making it a less preferred option during pregnancy than other imaging methods.

In some situations, however, your doctor may recommend a breast MRI during pregnancy. For example, follow-up imaging may be needed if a lump appears suspicious on a mammogram or another imaging test.

Breast MRIs can be performed without a contrast agent. If your healthcare provider recommends an MRI during pregnancy, ask if it can be done without gadolinium.

What Happens if Abnormalities Are Found?

Sometimes imaging tests reveal abnormalities or don’t provide clear results. In these cases, the next step is often a breast biopsy. This procedure removes a small sample of breast tissue for testing. There are several types of biopsies.

The most common type, a core needle biopsy, uses a hollow needle to remove a tissue sample from the breast. This procedure is usually done with a local anesthetic to numb the area, which is considered safe during pregnancy.

If the results of a core needle biopsy aren’t clear, your doctor may suggest a surgical biopsy. This procedure removes a larger tissue sample and typically requires general anesthesia, which can pose a small risk to the fetus.

Because a surgical biopsy is more invasive, it also carries a higher risk of complications, including infection and leakage of breast milk into the biopsy area.

Finding Support in the Community

Whether you’re getting a routine screening or a diagnostic mammogram to evaluate symptoms, the experience can be stressful. “Feeling stressed beyond belief [because] I have a bilateral mammogram today — feel sick to my stomach with anxiety,” one MyBCTeam member said.

If you’re pregnant, you may feel especially overwhelmed as you think about your own health and your growing baby. The good news is that you’re not alone. Many people understand how difficult it can be to wait for a mammogram and its results, and they’re ready to offer support.

On MyBCTeam, members often encourage one another during testing, diagnosis, and treatment:

“We’re here for you! We have all been through this, and we’re still in this together. By the size of the tumor, it sounds like the beginning stage. You’ve got this! Stay strong! It’s fast and hard in the beginning, but it’ll get easier.”

“You will be fine! Just take a breath and believe all will work out for you. … Trust me, it will. Find something you can do to distract yourself and get some peace of mind. Everyone on this site is here for you. Sending positive thoughts and endless hugs.”

“Before that baby gets here, you will have your diagnosis and your treatment plan. Who knows, maybe you’ll even be finished with your treatment.”

Join the Conversation

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

Did you have a mammogram while you were pregnant? Let others know in the comments below.