How Painful Is A 3D Mammogram?

February 27, 20233D Mammography Basics

Many people are nervous when it comes to getting a mammogram because of the unknowns: what’s the procedure like, what happens if I get abnormal results, and – above all – will it hurt? Getting a 3D mammogram – whether your first or 40th – is stressful and sometimes scary. It is a vulnerable scan, so it makes sense to be anxious. The best way to combat those fears, though, is to be informed.

A 2D and 3D mammogram begins the same way: you undress from the waist up, then your breast is compressed between two metal or plastic paddles. You will be asked to hold your breath while they take the X-ray. For a 2D mammogram, your breast must be compressed from several different angles to get the most precise 2D scans. A 3D mammogram only requires your breast to be compressed one time. And from that one compression, you get a 2D image and a 3D rendering of the breast. This higher-quality scan allows your doctors to sift through every area of your breast to check for abnormalities.

The compression of the breast is part of the procedure that can cause pain. Sometimes, a mammogram can be especially painful because of the position of your breast. If you feel pain or discomfort, tell your technologist and they will help reposition it. The time of the month, when your exam happens, could also impact your pain – the best time for a mammogram is when your breasts are least tender, likely the week after your period. What you eat and drink before your appointment can also affect your pain tolerance – try to limit caffeine as some women have experienced increased pain after consuming coffee or caffeinated teas. But also, it is important to remember that it could just be that the compression is uncomfortable and painful. It isn’t always something you can pinpoint.

Are There Any Alternatives For A 3D Mammogram?

There are a few alternatives to a mammogram. You could opt for an ultrasound or an MRI, but these scans could be more expensive and might not be covered by your insurance. The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging recommend women over the age of 40 get an annual mammogram (or starting at age 35 if they have a family history of cancer). The technology does not yet exist for a mammogram that does not require the breast to be compressed. South Jersey Radiology is committed to keeping up with the updates in technology to get you the best care possible when it becomes available.

Some people believe that women with larger breasts experience more pain with the compression process of a mammogram. Pain changes from person to person, as does breast size. There is not necessarily any correlation between larger or smaller breasts and increased pain during a mammogram.

No studies show that women with high amounts of dense breast tissue experience more pain than women without. However, women with dense breast tissue are best served with 3D mammograms because a 3D mammogram allows for better visualization of what is breast tissue vs. what is an abnormality – something traditional (2D) mammograms struggle with when scanning dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is based on genetics, diet, exercise, whether or not you have children, etc. It tends to go away with age and childbearing.

How Do I Prepare?

Preparing for a 3D mammogram is the same process as preparing for a traditional mammogram. Don’t wear any one-piece garments – like a dress or romper. Try to wear separate pieces of clothing above the waist and below the waist as you’ll be asked to remove all your clothing above the waist for your scan. Don’t wear any jewelry, deodorant, lotions, or other self-care products to your scan because they may have microscopic bits of metal that could interfere with the accuracy of your results.

Don’t do anything outside of your normal routine – get a good night's sleep and shower before your appointment. Arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment to talk with your radiologist. Communicate with them and tell them you’re nervous about the pain so they can be more conscious of your breast position and be careful to not increase your discomfort that way. You can also medicate with Advil or Ibuprofen ahead of your appointment (usually take these about an hour before your scan).

What Should I Expect During My 3D Mammogram?

Your mammogram will take between 10-20 minutes. During your mammogram, your technologist will cover your nipples and any other skin markings with tape so the radiologist is not incorrectly labeling those as abnormalities. The best time for you to have your mammogram is when your breasts are the least tender – likely the week after your period. The time of day does not play a large role in the amount of pain you’ll be in.

Your actual mammogram will be like this: your breast will be compressed between 2 metal or plastic plates for 10-20 seconds. This compression is necessary to spread out the breast tissue so that it is easier to visualize any abnormalities within the tissue. The mammogram machine will take 11 images every 7 seconds. This is why 3D mammograms are better than 2D mammograms. You don’t just get a 2D scan of your breast tissue; you get a 3D digital reconstruction of your breast. This lets the radiologist scan through hundreds of slices of breast tissue, offering a more specific look at your breast tissue (best for dense breast tissue especially).

The amount of pressure applied during a 3D mammogram changes from woman to woman – person to person, based on breast size and pain tolerance. If your mammogram is performed by licensed radiologists, then the risk of damage to your breast during a mammogram is low. By getting your mammogram at an imaging center like South Jersey Radiology, you ensure that your breasts will be given the best possible care.

A 3D mammogram exposes you to a low dose of radiation (as does any mammogram), but studies show that this is a minuscule, almost imperceptible amount of radiation. A 3D mammogram is not risky by any means. 3D mammograms are worth it, despite the radiation exposure, because you are getting double the scans for the same procedure, and better visualization of whether or not you may have lumps or tumors.

What Should I Expect After My 3D Mammogram?

Lots of women experience breast soreness after their mammogram. Medicate with Advil or Ibuprofen and rest afterward. If your breast pain persists for longer than 24 hours, contact your doctor. You won’t get your results right away. Usually, you will wait about a week or two to get your results. Your results will be sent to your doctor who will then call you and let you know what your next steps are based on the results.

It is normal to be concerned about your mammogram results. But remember, only 10% of women are called back for further testing, and of that 10%, less than 1% will be diagnosed with some abnormality. It is far more likely that you don’t have anything wrong with you. If something is wrong with your breasts, though, a 3D mammogram will find it.

Don’t let fear or pain stand in the way of you getting the care you need. Getting a mammogram is an important part of your healthcare routine and should be quick, easy, and comfortable. You can get all of those things at your local SJRA location. Schedule your appointment today at any of the following locations:

Meet the staff members who will be performing your study here.