Your Mammogram

Make It More Comfortable with These Tips

Want to make your next mammogram a bit more comfortable – and convenient? These tips can help.

• Hold off on caffeine. Caffeine has a tendency to make a woman’s breasts tender, potentially making the mammogram more uncomfortable. Avoid drinking coffee and tea, unless it’s decaffeinated, for a week prior to a mammogram. Other items containing caffeine include soft drinks, chocolate and even some common over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
• Check you calendar. “Most women’s breasts are naturally  more tender or slightly swollen during the week prior tho their menstrual period”, says Alicia Starr, M.D., medical director at Baylor’s Women’s Imaging Center. “Try to avoid scheduling your annual mammogram during this time”.
• Dress for comfort and convenience. Wear a two-piece outfit with a blouse or sweater on the day of the appointment. While a woman’s choice of outfit will not affect the outcome of her mammogram, most women find it easier and faster to slip off a blouse instead or removing a one-piece dress.

Source: Baylor Regional Medical Center in Plano, TX