Mammography-Associated Pain: Contributing Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Public Health

Background:

• Pain during screening mammography is a frequent negative experience.
• This pain can deter women from attending vital breast cancer screenings.
• Breast compression is a necessary but often painful aspect of mammography.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifactorial causes of mammography-associated pain.
• To highlight evidence-based strategies for mitigating this screening barrier.
• To emphasize the importance of addressing pain for maintaining screening attendance.

Main Methods:

• Review of technical factors contributing to mammographic pain.
• Analysis of physiologic variables influencing mammography-associated pain.
• Examination of psychological and demographic factors in mammographic pain.

Main Results:

• Mammographic pain stems from a combination of technical, physiological, psychological, and demographic factors.
• Effective strategies to reduce pain exist, including pharmaceutical, physical, technological, and psychological approaches.
• Addressing pain is crucial for ensuring women attend mammography screenings.

Conclusions:

• Mammography remains the most effective screening tool for reducing breast cancer mortality.
• Radiologists must understand the diverse causes of mammography pain.
• Implementing strategies to alleviate pain is essential for overcoming screening barriers and improving patient outcomes.