Is a Mammogram Painful?

For many people, the thought of a mammogram can feel scary. Maybe your mammograms have hurt in the past. Or maybe you’ve heard stories about it hurting. Did you know that everyone’s experience is different? While some people do feel pain or discomfort, other people feel no pain at all.1

Knowing what to expect in a mammogram can help you feel calmer. During the test, each breast is gently pressed between two flat plates for about 10–15 seconds while a picture is taken.2 Any pain or discomfort usually comes from this pressure and does not last long.1 

The test might feel more uncomfortable if you:1

• Already have breast pain or other chronic body pain.
• Have hormone changes that cause breast tenderness. 
• Have smaller breasts or more sensitive to pain.
• Find the breast positions uncomfortable.
• Feel nervous or scared.

You can feel more comfortable during your mammogram if you:1 

1. Speak up. Tell the imaging staff can how you feel. They are there to help and answer any questions.
2. Plan your appointment timing. Try not to schedule your mammogram during your period or the week before. Your breasts may be more tender then.
3. Use pain medicine if needed. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers ahead of time if your doctor says it’s okay.
4. Practice staying calm. Deep breathing or mindfulness exercises can your body relax.

Mammograms are important. They are quick and safe, and they can find breast cancer early. Finding cancer early can lower the risk of dying from it by 30% or more.3 Mammograms are designed to take clear images of breast tissue using a very small amount of radiation.4 In fact, this radiation is about the same as what you get naturally over about 7 weeks of everyday life.4

On the day of your mammogram:5

1. Eat, drink, and take your normal medications. 
2. Do NOT wear deodorant, perfume, lotion, or body powder. These can affect the breast pictures.
3. Wear a top and bottom outfit, since you will undress and wear a gown from the waist up. 

Mammograms play an important role in keeping you healthy. Knowing what to expect can make the experience feel easier and less stressful.

References

1. Uscher, J. (2025, October 29). Tips to reduce pain during and after mammograms. https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/mammograms/pain
2. National Cancer Institute. (2025, December 2). Mammograms. Retrieved December 3, 2025, from https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/screening/mammograms
3. BreastCancer.org. (2023, June 15). Mammography: Benefits, risks, what you need to know. https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/mammograms/benefits-risks
4. American Cancer Society. (2018, August 3). Understanding radiation risk from imaging tests.. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/tests/imaging-tests/understanding-radiation-risk-from-imaging-tests.html