Once your mammogram is complete, you can go back to your normal daily routine without any designated recovery time needed. The majority of women who get mammograms don’t feel any persistent pain or soreness once the exam is over, and they can simply go on with their day. However, a few women do report experiencing slight pain after their mammogram procedure. In most cases, this soreness is no worse than the pain experienced during the mammography service and will fade within a few hours.
It’s impossible to predict the level of sensitivity or soreness you may feel after your mammogram. Some factors can influence the level of pain you experience, if any, such as:
- The shape of your breasts
- The positioning of your breasts during the exam
- Your personal tolerance for pain
If you do experience post-mammogram pain, try wearing a padded sports bra for the rest of the day rather than a bra with a metal underwire. Some women may have small bruises that appear, especially individuals taking blood thinners. However, if you do notice visible bruises on your breasts or continue to feel sore 24 hours after your mammogram procedure, contact your doctor to let them know.
After your routine mammogram, many women get a letter within 30 days, letting them know that the results of their procedure were normal. However, some women are called back to take new pictures or to receive additional testing. While this can be a scary experience, it’s fairly common. Getting called back does not mean you have breast cancer, but simply that your doctor sees something atypical about your imaging.