Will there be pain during breast mammography?

Mammography usually results in mild discomfort, but in most cases, it does not cause severe pain. During the examination, breast tissue needs to be briefly compressed to obtain clear images, which may cause temporary swelling or compression, and sensitive individuals may experience mild pain. The compression sensation of mammography mainly comes from the fixed operation of the equipment on breast tissue. During the examination, the breast should be placed on a specially designed platform, and uniform pressure should be applied through a transparent pressure plate to fully expand the breast tissue. This compression helps reduce tissue overlap, improve lesion detection rate, and reduce X-ray radiation dose. The standard compression time for a single breast usually lasts for 10-15 seconds, and may be extended to 30 seconds when multiple angles are required. Most healthy women have a good tolerance for this process, with pain scores ranging from 1-3 points (on a 10 point scale), similar to the degree of breast tenderness during menstruation. After the examination, the sense of oppression will immediately disappear, and a few people may still have a slight residual soreness, which can be relieved on its own within 1-2 hours. The menstrual cycle can affect breast sensitivity, so it is recommended to avoid checking one week before menstruation. breastfeeding women may be more sensitive to compression due to ductal dilation, but it will not affect the safety of the examination. When there are underlying lesions such as breast hyperplasia and mastitis, pain perception may be enhanced. Patients with acute mastitis may experience significant pain due to tissue congestion and edema caused by compression. It is recommended to undergo further examination after controlling the inflammation. Young women (under 40 years old) with dense breast tissue may experience more discomfort due to higher glandular density, which requires greater pressure to penetrate imaging. In rare cases, compression may lead to the rupture of breast cysts, manifested as sudden local severe pain and skin bruising after examination, and medical personnel should be informed immediately. For those who are extremely sensitive to pain, they can take over-the-counter painkillers 30 minutes before the examination or communicate with a technician to adjust the compression force. psychological tension can amplify pain perception, and deep breathing and relaxation before examination can effectively improve tolerance.

After inspection, it is recommended to wear underwire underwear to reduce friction and avoid vigorous exercise for 24 hours. If there is persistent burning pain, skin damage, or abnormal swelling, one should promptly return to the hospital for evaluation. Regular breast screening is very important for the detection of early breast cancer. It is recommended that women over 40 years old should receive molybdenum target examination every 1-2 years, and high-risk people can be brought forward to 35 years old. Abnormal changes can be detected through breast self-examination in daily life, and ultrasound examination can improve diagnostic accuracy.