Two weeks ago I noticed a pea-size nodule in my left breast while I was nursing my son. It wasn't tender and was located close to the middle of my breast bone but definitely in the left breast. I kept an eye/feel on it and after 9 days it disappeared. During those 9 days, the size, shape and feel never changed. I decided to have my OB check it out today and while he didn't feel it (I don't feel it anymore either) he did feel another nodule-type thing that he wants me to have checked out. He ordered a mammogram, and I'm having it done next Wednesday.
My question is: Has anyone had a mammogram while still breastfeeding? If so, will it be important that my breasts be fully emptied before the exam? Also, I've heard that mammograms hurt since your boob is pretty much smushed into a little pancake; I imagine it's worse when breastfeeding since there is so much extra stuff going on in there.
Any advice or tips on how to make my appointment more productive and less uncomfortable?
Thanks to all of you great ladies who offered advice and shared your experiences. I had a busy week trying to make up my mind on what to do! On Tuesday I contacted the hospital (to find out exactly what the exam entailed), my son's pediatrician (for his OK that I wasn't going to have contaminated breast milk), my OB/GYN and my family doctor (again, to get 2nd and 3rd opinions on the breastmilk question as well as the relevance of the mammogram since I'm breastfeeding). I also spoke to two ladies with the La Leche League. Everyone agreed that there was no concern about breastfeeding immediately afterward. And that there was no reason to wait on having the mammo, however they all said it's important the technician doing the exam knew how to read screens on lactating women.
I wasn't able to take my baby with me to the appointment (logistically too challenging since I have another son at home), however I dashed off to my appointment directly after nursing him yesterday morning. After a 30 minute commute, they made me wait another 40 minutes (which was VERY frustrating, esp as I felt myself getting full ... ) however the technician and doctor who reviewed the films on-site said the sonogram looked normal and while they could feel the two nodules, they didn't show up as abnormal. Phew! They both misread my OB's Rx however and said I could go home -- no need for the mammo. Once I was home, I got a call that they needed me to come back in for the mammo to "complete the exam" since my doctor had ordered it. Talk about frustrating ... Anyway, after nursing my son again I headed into the city again and got right in for the mammo. It wasn't anything like what I expected -- which is a good thing. The female technicican was very efficient and fast; the machine uses small plastic "plates" (not the huge cold metal ones I imagined) and the compression lasts a mere 5 seconds. I went through drug-free childbirth twice, so this was a breeze! She took six views of my breasts, and all looked normal. Big relief. We were done in 10 minutes.
Also, for those who warned me about radiation: I read online that a mammogram emits more radiation than a chest xray (scary!). However, something one of the La Leche ladies said made me feel OK with this: first, the radiation passes through immediately and doesn't linger in my body; and second, she's known breastfeeding mothers who felt something and didn't get a mammo right away, who then unfortunately had some sad, scary things to deal with later on. Fortunately, my tests showed normal, but if they hadn't I really would rather be working on an action plan today than letting something continue to grow inside. My two little guys (and hubby) need me!
Thanks again for all of the advice and support. You are all terrific!
Contact LaLeche League. They have an Professional Advisory Board of Physicians--they have had this service for many years---and they have data on what you should do. The local LLL leader can call headquarters in Minnesota to find out the latest info or may have access to a databank from her computer.
Yes, I had a mammogram while still breastfeeding, since I hit that magic milestone of 40 when my son was 9 months old. :-) By that time, I was down to 3 feedings a day, and so I scheduled my mammo for first thing in the morning, and didn't have any problems. I did, however, inform the tech that I was still nursing my infant son, just in case.
As for hurting - it pinches a little when they first start compressing the plates. But, I'm also a double-D, and I think that helps. (Squeeze an inch of skin vs. 1/4" of skin to see what I mean...) I did cut back on caffeine (but not out) during the week prior to my mammo (which is another thing they recommend...) The place I go also (now) has padded plates, and that has made a difference!
HTH
L.
Hi L.. I did have a similar situation happen. My Dr. said that I should get a mammogram when I finished breastfeeding and in the interim, she ordered me an ultrasound instead. They were able to discern that the lump I had was fibrocystic and not something more worrisome. It would be really nice if your Dr. could do the same for you as, from what I heard, they squish your breast pretty flat in a mammogram and with enlarged milk ducts and a ton of breastmik, I can't imagine the test would be tolerable or, actually, all that effective. Your Dr. should be able to assess the seriousness of your situation and the two of you can decide if this would be a more appropriate course of action for the time being.
Not sure about the radiation of a mammogram but I would remind the Dr. that you are nursing. Under "normal" circumstances you shouldnt be nursing or pregnant when you have a mammogram. A sonogram sounds a lot better. I know that it is much more expensive and insurance does not like to pay for it so the Dr. may have some pre-approval paperwork to get you covered for it. Either way I had a mammogram about 5 months after I finished nursing. Told the tech that I can still express a couple of drops of milk. Well of course the compression of the plates squeezed out a huge puddle of milk every time. I would assume that if you have to have the mammo find out (La Leche would be best) about how long you should hold of nursing afterwards and definitely the breasts should be drained or the machines will do it for you. Good Luck!
Hi L.,
Is your doctor aware that you are breastfeeding? Mammo's are only done on breastfeeding women in very rare circumstances. If you're not sure whether your doctor knows your BF status, make sure to tell him as he might want to order an ultrasound or something else instead. I'd also check with the radiology dept or mammo facility that your doc is sending you to.
Good luck!
Ouch. I can't imagine getting a mamogram when breastfeeding. You can ask your doctor for an ultrasound, though. Also, here's an interesting article on the subject of mamography. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/1...
Blessings,
T. E.
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Hi, L.,
Sorry I'm late responding here, and maybe you've already made a decision... Anyway, I have had a couple mammograms while still breastfeeding. I was down to nursing twice a day, though, and my girls were getting most of their nutrition from other sources. So I was no longer getting that very full feeling in my breasts that you get when you're nursing an infant all the time, which you are still probably experiencing with a 3-month-old.
At any rate, I was instructed to bring my pump and to empty my breasts before the mammo, and I definitely recommend you do that. Better yet, could you bring your baby with you, with your husband or a sitter -- and nurse at the office before the mammo? For mine, the tech was a little surprised both times, because it is pretty unusual, but if you need to do it you need to do it!
I had actually had a baseline mammogram at 35, before I had kids, and I didn't find these later mammos to be any more uncomfortable than that one. So the breastfeeding didn't make it worse for me. It is not a fun procedure, but the compression for each image lasts only a few seconds. If you've gone through childbirth, you can handle it!
Good luck,
A.
I'm very surprised that your OB is sending you for a mammogram - does he know that you are breastfeeding? I have had a lumpectomy in the past (benign) and have multiple lumps in my breast that we've been monitoring. When I was breastfeeding my older son, I found a new lump and the doctor had me go for a sonogram. It was inconclusive, so I was asked to return in 6 months. I was still nursing at that time, so they did another sonogram and it was shrinking, so I did not have to go again. While I was pregnant, I needed to go for my annual check and they again did a sonogram. I was told to get a baseline mammogram, but not until I am no longer pregnant and completely done nursing.
I felt a lump while breastfeeding too. I was worried at the time and was told I could not have a mammogram but had an ultrasound. They did not find anything and the lump disappeared after I stopped breasfeeding. Most likely your lump is related to milk, but ultrasounds can be performed. I was told they would not do a mammorgram until 6 months after breastfeeding.
I also am having a lump checked out -- since I am breastfeeding (my baby is 4 months old), they did a sonogram, rather than a mammogram. They are going to do a biopsy next week, and again, will do a sonogram to find the place. They told me that they don't do mammograms while breastfeeding.
Good luck! I hope that it is all ok with us both.
The doctors told me I couldn't have a mammogram while breastfeeding. I'm sure there's something they could do, but in my case they told me to wait and see. (Doesn't exactly sound brilliant, but then my insurance doesn't want to cover much for breast health anyways.)
hi L., i was told i absolutely could not have a mammogram while breastfeeding. several times. once i was begging because a close friend of mine had just passed away from breast cancer and i felt something and i was completely freaking out. my doc wouldnt let me, and the mammogram place wouldnt do it. said the radiation was harmful and you wouldnt get a reliable reading anyway. however, i did get a sonogram. i got one a few times over the years when i felt something. i asked my doc if the sono was as good as the mammogram, he said if dr port does it, yes. i asked him and several of the techs, the way it was explained to me, a mammogram and a sonogram each see different things, its not that one is better than the other. ideally you should have both. if you want dr ports number email me, they are excellent, state of the art, and a pleasure to deal with in every way. he is in baldwin, i think. on merrick rd.
Try taking a tylenol before the mamogram (if ok for breastfeeding). Makes it hurt less.
You might want to ask for thermography instead - latest research shows it can be more reliable, show problems sooner, and it's definitely less painful and has NO RADIATION.
Check for diaper rash or anything red on the bottom. That is what it was for my DD.
Hello,
Did you have the mammo on both breasts? And did they also take a view of your armpit/ axila? Thank you for your answer!
Updated
Hello,
Did you have the mammo on both breasts? And did they also take a view of your armpit/ axila? Thank you for your answer!
