Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBreastfeeding and ScreeningHow Long to PumpChecking for LumpsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Breastfeeding and Screening
How Long to Pump
Checking for Lumps
Frequently Asked Questions
If you arebreastfeeding(lactating), you can safely have amammogram. Also, breastfeeding or pumping as much as possible before your mammogram can make the experience more comfortable.
Before a mammogram, talk with your healthcare provider and request a technician and radiologist experienced in giving and reading mammograms in people who breastfeed. Mammogram results in someone who is breastfeeding are more complex to interpret.
This article discusses breastfeeding and mammograms, including how results differ when breastfeeding than when not and how to prepare for a mammogram when breastfeeding.
andresr / Getty Images
Montgomery Tubercles: Understanding Areola Bumps
Does Breastfeeding Affect Screening Outcome?
The dense tissue in the breast can make mammogram results harder to read.However, mammograms are still one of the most effective ways to detectbreast cancerearly in breastfeeding individuals.
Normal and Abnormal Mammogram Images
Other Imaging OptionsAll breast imaging studies and biopsies (removing a sample tissue for analysis in a lab) are safe for lactating people.If you discover a lump while breastfeeding, your healthcare provider may recommend abreast ultrasoundfirst. Other imaging tests may include:3D mammogramBreast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)Breast biopsy
Other Imaging Options
All breast imaging studies and biopsies (removing a sample tissue for analysis in a lab) are safe for lactating people.If you discover a lump while breastfeeding, your healthcare provider may recommend abreast ultrasoundfirst. Other imaging tests may include:3D mammogramBreast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)Breast biopsy
All breast imaging studies and biopsies (removing a sample tissue for analysis in a lab) are safe for lactating people.If you discover a lump while breastfeeding, your healthcare provider may recommend abreast ultrasoundfirst. Other imaging tests may include:
Mammogram vs. Breast MRI
Before You Go: How Much and How Long to Pump
Before your mammogram, try to empty your breasts as completely as possible. Ask your healthcare facility if it is possible to have a private room to pump immediately before your mammogram. The mammogram procedure takes about 20 minutes.
There is no need to pump milk and discard it, commonly referred to as “pump and dump.” X-rays do not affect breast milk, so it is safe to breastfeed after a mammogram.
When breastfeeding and caring for an infant, leaving the house is challenging. It is often easier to put off screenings and tests until life is less chaotic. If you can, keep your medical appointments and get a mammogram when recommended. Reach out to your family, friends, and healthcare providers for support.
Checking for Lumps While Breastfeeding
Possible exam findings associated with breastfeeding include:
When to See Your Healthcare ProviderAnytime you notice a lump or change in your breast, talk with your healthcare provider. Don’t feel you need to put it off because of breastfeeding.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
Anytime you notice a lump or change in your breast, talk with your healthcare provider. Don’t feel you need to put it off because of breastfeeding.
Summary
Pros and Cons of Autologous Breast Augmentation
Frequently Asked QuestionsBreast tissue becomes denser during breastfeeding because of hormonal changes. The hormones estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin cause dense breast tissue.Yes, breastfeeding is thought to slightly lower your risk of breast cancer. Mammograms and other screening tools are still required.Talk with your healthcare provider about how soon you can have a mammogram after delivery. Mammograms require that the breasts be compressed to obtain clear images. This is often uncomfortable for breastfeeding people, so it is important to ensure that your body is ready.
Breast tissue becomes denser during breastfeeding because of hormonal changes. The hormones estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin cause dense breast tissue.
Yes, breastfeeding is thought to slightly lower your risk of breast cancer. Mammograms and other screening tools are still required.
Talk with your healthcare provider about how soon you can have a mammogram after delivery. Mammograms require that the breasts be compressed to obtain clear images. This is often uncomfortable for breastfeeding people, so it is important to ensure that your body is ready.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UMass Amherst Breastmilk Research Lab.Can I get a mammogram or a biopsy while breastfeeding?.MD Anderson Cancer Center.Can I skip a mammogram?.Vashi R, Hooley R, Butler R, Geisel J, Philpotts L.Breast imaging of the pregnant and lactating patient: Physiologic changes and common benign entities.American Journal of Roentgenology. 2013;200(2). doi:10.2214/ajr.12.9845La Leche League.Lumps and mammograms.Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Eglash A, et al.ABM clinical protocol #30: Breast masses, breast complaints, and diagnostic breast imaging in the lactating woman.Breastfeeding Medicine. 2019;14(4):208-214. doi:10.1089/bfm.2019.29124.kjmAmerican Cancer Society.How to prepare for a mammogram.Breastcancer.org.Breast self-exam (BSE).Additional ReadingHaliloglu N, Ustuner E, Ozkavukcu E.Breast ultrasound during lactation: Benign and malignant lesions.Breast Care. 2018;14(1). doi:10.1159/000491781Johnson HM, Lewis TC, Mitchell KB.Breast cancer screening during lactation: Ensuring optimal surveillance for breastfeeding women.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(1):194-198. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003600Teberian I, Bhimani C, Sciotto M, Wilkes A, Germaine P.Breast masses in pregnancy and lactation.J Am Osteopath Coll Radiol.2019;8(1):5-16.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UMass Amherst Breastmilk Research Lab.Can I get a mammogram or a biopsy while breastfeeding?.MD Anderson Cancer Center.Can I skip a mammogram?.Vashi R, Hooley R, Butler R, Geisel J, Philpotts L.Breast imaging of the pregnant and lactating patient: Physiologic changes and common benign entities.American Journal of Roentgenology. 2013;200(2). doi:10.2214/ajr.12.9845La Leche League.Lumps and mammograms.Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Eglash A, et al.ABM clinical protocol #30: Breast masses, breast complaints, and diagnostic breast imaging in the lactating woman.Breastfeeding Medicine. 2019;14(4):208-214. doi:10.1089/bfm.2019.29124.kjmAmerican Cancer Society.How to prepare for a mammogram.Breastcancer.org.Breast self-exam (BSE).Additional ReadingHaliloglu N, Ustuner E, Ozkavukcu E.Breast ultrasound during lactation: Benign and malignant lesions.Breast Care. 2018;14(1). doi:10.1159/000491781Johnson HM, Lewis TC, Mitchell KB.Breast cancer screening during lactation: Ensuring optimal surveillance for breastfeeding women.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(1):194-198. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003600Teberian I, Bhimani C, Sciotto M, Wilkes A, Germaine P.Breast masses in pregnancy and lactation.J Am Osteopath Coll Radiol.2019;8(1):5-16.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UMass Amherst Breastmilk Research Lab.Can I get a mammogram or a biopsy while breastfeeding?.MD Anderson Cancer Center.Can I skip a mammogram?.Vashi R, Hooley R, Butler R, Geisel J, Philpotts L.Breast imaging of the pregnant and lactating patient: Physiologic changes and common benign entities.American Journal of Roentgenology. 2013;200(2). doi:10.2214/ajr.12.9845La Leche League.Lumps and mammograms.Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Eglash A, et al.ABM clinical protocol #30: Breast masses, breast complaints, and diagnostic breast imaging in the lactating woman.Breastfeeding Medicine. 2019;14(4):208-214. doi:10.1089/bfm.2019.29124.kjmAmerican Cancer Society.How to prepare for a mammogram.Breastcancer.org.Breast self-exam (BSE).
UMass Amherst Breastmilk Research Lab.Can I get a mammogram or a biopsy while breastfeeding?.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Can I skip a mammogram?.
Vashi R, Hooley R, Butler R, Geisel J, Philpotts L.Breast imaging of the pregnant and lactating patient: Physiologic changes and common benign entities.American Journal of Roentgenology. 2013;200(2). doi:10.2214/ajr.12.9845
La Leche League.Lumps and mammograms.
Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Eglash A, et al.ABM clinical protocol #30: Breast masses, breast complaints, and diagnostic breast imaging in the lactating woman.Breastfeeding Medicine. 2019;14(4):208-214. doi:10.1089/bfm.2019.29124.kjm
American Cancer Society.How to prepare for a mammogram.
Breastcancer.org.Breast self-exam (BSE).
Haliloglu N, Ustuner E, Ozkavukcu E.Breast ultrasound during lactation: Benign and malignant lesions.Breast Care. 2018;14(1). doi:10.1159/000491781Johnson HM, Lewis TC, Mitchell KB.Breast cancer screening during lactation: Ensuring optimal surveillance for breastfeeding women.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(1):194-198. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003600Teberian I, Bhimani C, Sciotto M, Wilkes A, Germaine P.Breast masses in pregnancy and lactation.J Am Osteopath Coll Radiol.2019;8(1):5-16.
Haliloglu N, Ustuner E, Ozkavukcu E.Breast ultrasound during lactation: Benign and malignant lesions.Breast Care. 2018;14(1). doi:10.1159/000491781
Johnson HM, Lewis TC, Mitchell KB.Breast cancer screening during lactation: Ensuring optimal surveillance for breastfeeding women.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(1):194-198. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003600
Teberian I, Bhimani C, Sciotto M, Wilkes A, Germaine P.Breast masses in pregnancy and lactation.J Am Osteopath Coll Radiol.2019;8(1):5-16.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
