The mammogram is a vital diagnostics tool that has saved many women’s lives. However, Life Medical Technologies understands that, for many women, it is also an uncomfortable and even painful procedure.Thankfully, it is possible to make things hurt less by following a number of tips.
Life Medical Technologies on Mammogram Tips
- Make sure your breast is not engorged when you have your mammogram. Most women find that between one or two weeks after the end of their menstruation, their breasts are the least tender. However, this does depend on the woman.
- Avoid consuming salt in the week prior to your test. This helps to reduce engorgement in the breast tissue and therefore also reduces the compression pain during the test itself.
- Three weeks before the test, start taking a vitamin E supplement of at least 400 iu per day. It isn’t clear why this works, but thousands of women have reported that it has made a significant difference for them and since taking the supplement is not harmful it is worth a shot.
- Consider over the counter painkillers. Diclofenac, aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen could all be taken around an hour before you have your mammogram, I presume in that you do not have any medical contraindications.
- Consume plenty of green juice, making your own concoction of cucumber, bitter lemon, celery, capsicum, and green apple. Drink this every other day for a week before your mammogram. This green juice is actually a very ancient recipe for pain in the breasts so you could consume it if you experience any kind of tenderness. However, if you drink more than one glass every other day, you may experience dizziness or hypertension so do be aware of that.
- When you have your test, make sure you tell the radiographer if you are uncomfortable. While there isn’t much letter radiographer can do, they may be able to make some slight adjustments to make things feel at least somewhat better.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to have a mammogram without feeling at least a degree of discomfort. The very nature of the test means that you will experience compression on your breast tissue and all women know that breast tissue is more sensitive than other tissue. However, there is no need for it to be so painful that you might consider not having the test at all. Always remember that it is vital as it can help you to avoid breast cancer, which remains to this day one of the greatest killers of women around the world.
Radiographers are very sympathetic to the fact that these tests are uncomfortable and somewhat degrading as well, so do feel free to tell them if you are uncomfortable or otherwise concerned. They will do what they come to set your mind at ease and make sure that the experience is not as bad as it could be. With the above six tips, you should already feel a lot better anyway.
