Mammography and Breast Pain

Two hundred and three consecutive patients underwent mammography at both public and private facilities. Their patients were asked to complete a questionnaire which recorded their assessments of pain. There was a very low incidence of significant pain (4%). The rate was highest (10.9%) in those with pre-existing breast pain. This compared with a rate of 1.4% in those without pre-existing breast pain. A large number of premenopausal women suffered from breast pain (69%). Breast pain was particularly common in the week prior to onset of menstruation. Therefore, routine mammography should be scheduled in a pain-free interval and, if possible, the week prior to onset of menstruation should be avoided.