Mammogram myths: Are they painful, embarrassing or inaccurate?

Mammograms don’t have a great reputation.

Whispered rumours of toxic levels of radiation, excruciating pain and false positive results have made some women reluctant to have a mammogram.

Avoiding breast screening could put your health at risk, as early detection of breast cancer improves patient outcomes.

Here we bust the mammogram myths.

A mammogram uses a low dose of radiation¹ during the procedure. Like all diagnostic X-rays, the radiation passes through the body and does not stay in the tissue.

During a mammogram, you are exposed to a similar amount of radiation as you are on a long-haul flight or from a few months of natural, environmental exposure. Modern mammogram machines are designed to use the lowest possible amount of radiation and are considered a safe way to screen for breast cancer.

The benefits of detecting breast cancer in its early stages and preventing the disease from advancing outweigh any risk.

During a mammogram, each breast is compressed between two X-ray plates for about 10 seconds. This allows the machine to take images of the breast tissue.

It can be a strange and uncomfortable sensation, and you can expect to feel a tightness and pressure as the X-rays are taken. Mammograms should not cause extreme pain.² The radiographers are trained to position the breast properly to minimise discomfort.

If you have any concerns, talk to your radiographer before the procedure so they can help make you as comfortable as possible. Avoid having a mammogram around the time of your period, when breasts can be extra sensitive, and consider taking pain relief before the procedure if you feel you need it.

Mammograms are the best way to detect early breast cancer in women over the age of 50, but they are not 100% and can miss some cancers.³

“Mammograms miss around 10–15% of breast cancers overall,” says Bupa GP Janice Tan. “This is more common in women with dense breast tissue, where tumours can be harder to see on X-ray.”

“While mammograms are a powerful screening tool, they work best as part of a broader diagnostic picture.”

“If a mammogram flags something suspicious, or if you find a lump through self-exam, the triple test combines 3 layers of investigation: a clinical examination by a specialist, imaging (mammogram and/or ultrasound), and a tissue biopsy,” says Janice. “No single test tells the whole story, which is why a mammogram result should never be the end of the conversation.”

If your mammogram does detect any abnormality, this does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Benign cysts, dense breast tissue and harmless lumps can also show up on a mammogram. Most women who are invited back for further testing will not be diagnosed with breast cancer, but regular mammograms have been shown to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer in Australia.

Getting a mammogram may not be something you look forward to. Yes, they might feel stressful, and having your breasts compressed in a machine and handled by a radiographer may be awkward. But the pros outweigh the cons.

Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. BreastScreen Australia also keeps your results on record, so changes in your breast tissue can be monitored over time. If you ever do develop breast cancer, your doctors can see when it started and create a better treatment approach.

If you’re feeling stressed or uncomfortable, ask a good friend to go with you to your appointment and plan to do something you enjoy afterwards. Use some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, during the procedure, and tell your radiographer if you’re feeling nervous so they can help put you at ease.

The size of your breasts doesn’t affect how your mammogram is performed, although breast density can have an impact.⁴ High breast density can make it harder to see breast cancer on a mammogram. Higher breast density is also a risk factor for developing breast cancer.

Younger women tend to have denser breast tissue, which is partly why screening isn’t recommended for women under the age of 40. If you experience any unusual changes to your breasts and are under 40, your doctor may recommend a different type of breast screening, such as an MRI or ultrasound.