If you feel something strange in your breast, you may want to get mammograms. They are X-ray images of your breasts that help detect cancers or changes in breast tissues. But what if you have recently given birth? Can you get a mammogram while breastfeeding? Will it affect your baby's development? How to navigate the challenges?
This article will demystify this topic for you. Here, you will learn if you can get mammograms while nursing or if you should postpone it. Furthermore, you will learn about other relevant topics like biopsies and breast surgery while breastfeeding.
Can You Get a Mammogram While Breastfeeding?
Yes, a breastfeeding woman can get mammograms, ultrasound, or MRI. However, the images will be more complex. As such, an experienced radiologist is needed. Otherwise, they will not be able to interpret the images correctly.
You must also do your part to make the results clearer. Before taking mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI, you should empty your breast as much as possible through breastfeeding or pumping. The Momcozy Mobile Flow™ Hands-Free Breast Pump | M9 is an excellent choice for this, as it offers powerful suction without causing discomfort.
What about after the screening tests? You can breastfeed after a mammography since an X-ray is not harmful to breast milk. Meanwhile, ultrasound can actually help unblock milk ducts. In turn, that can remove tender, sore lumps in your breasts, making breastfeeding easier after the screening.
With MRI, not much of the dye used on the breast gets in the milk. Furthermore, the baby’s gut does not absorb the amount that does get into the milk. Thus, you don’t need to pump if you plan to breastfeed after an MRI session.
How Long Before Mammograms Should I Stop Breastfeeding?
You do not need to stop breastfeeding if you plan to get mammograms. Just remember to empty your breasts before the session. However, let's say you will stop breastfeeding a few weeks from now. We recommend waiting for that moment before getting a mammogram. That way, the images will be clearer, allowing medical professionals to spot cancer more easily. If the time to wean is still far, you don’t have to stop breastfeeding for a mammogram. It is still possible.
Can I Delay Mammograms Until I’m No Longer Breastfeeding?
If you are going to wean soon, you can delay your exam. However, in most cases, we do not recommend it. Breastfeeding reduces the risks of breast cancer. However, it does not make you immune to the disease. The thing is that some of the changes that happen to your breasts can also be cancer symptoms. Thus, you must get checked as soon as possible.
Common breast cancer symptoms include unusual discharge, rashes, and lumps. You may also notice skin discoloration or changes in your nipples. Observe these. If they don't go away after two weeks, consult your doctor.
Do not worry. A mammogram does not affect your milk quality. Therefore, it would also not affect your baby. But it will affect your milk supply for the day because you have to express it before the exam. So, breastfeed your baby before the exam if possible. If not, use a breast pump.
What If I Need a Biopsy During Breastfeeding?
You do not have to stop breastfeeding before or after a biopsy. That includes all types, namely, ultrasound-guided, stereotactic, or MRI-guided biopsies.
But please note that stereotactic and MRI-guided biopsies use larger needles and remove more breast tissue. That increases the chance of a milk fistula. Nevertheless, the risk remains low. In studies,less than 2% of patients developed a persistent fistula after such procedures.
You may be tempted to do pumping after a procedure to manage your milk supply. But that can actually worsen the case, leading to fistula. Therefore, you must study proper lactation management to avoid this problem.
Can I Have Breast Surgery During Breastfeeding?
You can have breast surgery during breastfeeding, but it will affect how you feed your baby. Breast reduction and augmentation affect how your body produces milk. Breast cancer surgery could also mean the removal of your entire breast. So, what will happen then?
Lumpectomy and mastectomy will lead to the removal of the parts responsible for making milk, the milk ducts, and the glandular tissues. That said, you would need to source milk for your baby from donors or use formula instead.
In case of breast augmentation, implants or fat transfers will be used to change the appearance of your breasts. This can decrease your milk supply due to the loss of some tissue due to the process. But please note that breast augmentation is always done with an effort to minimize its effect on lactation.
On the other hand, breast reduction has a high chance of affecting lactation. Your body may be able to produce the same amount of milk, but there are no paths for some of it to get out. It will cause swelling and engorgement. Your body will get rid of the milk once it recognizes this. The process may take weeks.
Does Breast Tissue Change During Breastfeeding?
Yes, breast tissues change during breastfeeding. The production of milk will make your breast tissues denser. As such, your breasts will appear and feel fuller.
After the breastfeeding period, your breasts may return to their original size. But it is not guaranteed. Some women reported that their breasts stayed the same size after breastfeeding.
Will a Mammogram Harm My Breasts or My Baby?
No, mammography will not harm your breast or your baby during breastfeeding or even pregnancy. The exam uses a low dose of radiation, typically around 0.4 millisieverts (mSv) per screening mammogram for both breasts. A dosage this low will have no negative effects on your breasts or your baby. That said, getting a mammogram and breastfeeding can be done on the same day.
Who Interprets Your Breast Mammogram Images?
A radiologist interprets your mammogram images. They are the experts in analyzing image test results. They will look at the black-and-white images to find signs of cancer. The radiologist may also find other conditions that could require further testing.
As mentioned above, if you are pregnant or nursing, a more skilled radiologist will interpret the mammograms. Newer ones may not be able to identify signs because your breast tissues are denser.
Please note that while they are the ones to interpret the images, the radiologist may not be the one to share the findings with you. They will send the report to your healthcare provider. Ask them how you can get the results.
Conclusion
Can you get a mammogram while nursing? Yes, you can. Mammography uses a very small dose of radiation, which will not harm your breast or baby. In fact, getting a mammogram as soon as possible if you suspect something is encouraged. It will allow you to find out if you have breast cancer early. That can save your life.
