Here’s How You Can Prepare For Your First Mammogram

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Unfortunately, modern medicine isn’t very modern when it comes to scanning for breast cancer, and until the medical community can come up with something better, we’re stuck with the discomfort of a mammogram. The cold machine clamping your breasts down like pancakes is enough to make anyone squeamish. And that’s not even mentioning the emotional and mental distress of knowing why you’re there.

These exams, which UC Health reports accurately detect breast cancer in 78 percent of women tested, are very important. They are especially crucial for Black women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at a higher rate than any other American racial or ethnic group, says the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. Breast cancer screening is a part of life as a woman, but being uncomfortable during your exam doesn’t have to be. Here are ways to make your mammogram more comfortable.

Schedule It Away From Your Period

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If you are pre-menopause and having a mammogram, know that your breasts will be most sensitive the week leading up to your period and the week during which you are menstruating. It’s best to schedule your mammogram a week after your period when the sensitivity has gone down.

Consider A Pain Medication

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Consult your doctor to make sure pain medication, such as Tylenol, doesn’t interfere with any other medications you are taking. If they give you the green light, consider taking a pain killer one hour before your mammogram as this can reduce some of the discomfort of the exam.

Adjust Your Diet, If Necessary

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For the most part, you can continue to eat and drink as you normally would leading up to your mammogram. However, if you are a big coffee drinker, consider cutting back or eliminating caffeine entirely for a few days leading up to your exam. A study published in The National Library of Medicine found that extreme caffeine intake can increase breast sensitivity. If you typically eat a diet high in sodium, cut back on this in the days before your exam, too. Sodium makes the entire body –including breast tissue – hold fluid and swell, which can make a mammogram painful.

Go Au Naturel

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By this we mean, skip deodorants, perfumes, lotions, creams or other products that might contain unnatural substances. These can trigger false alarms on your mammogram, resulting in further tests and – naturally – unnecessary concern. Going with a clean but product-free body is the best way to ensure a smooth mammogram.

Report Recent Vaccines

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It is perfectly safe to get a mammogram following a vaccine. Just tell your technician if you recently received a vaccine. When you get a vaccine, your body produces white blood cells to fight off perceived infection, which can cause lymph nodes to swell. Yale Medicine reports that this side effect is rare, however, should it occur, it could show up in your mammogram, so it’s best your technician is aware of it.

Find A Mammogram Technician You Like

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If you struggle with chronic pain, or have received a mammogram before and found it painful, it’s important to find a technician who sympathizes with you. Ask the testing facility if they have a technician who is experienced with patients who deal with pain. These technicians will often set aside more time for your exam to accommodate your needs and try to make you as comfortable as possible. Additionally, you can ask that the technician do the compressions slowly and gradually – instead of quickly and abruptly.

What To Wear To Your Mammogram

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You might want to stray away from one-piece outfits like a jumper or a dress and instead opt for a two-piece outfit. This allows you to remove only your top so you can feel less exposed during your exam (though you will also be given a robe). Additionally, wear a comfortable bra – such as a soft, padded one instead of one with an underwire – because your breasts might be tender after your exam.

After Your Mammogram

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If you have time, do something enjoyable after your exam. You might want to schedule lunch or a walk with a friend who you find comforting, immediately after your exam. This is also a good time to practice some calming techniques such as breathing exercises and meditation, to alleviate any racing thoughts that can occur after the exam.