With more and more women having babies in their forties (and age 40 is the age to begin annual mammography) it has become a bit harder to stick to the "annual schedule" for breast screening. Why? Because mammography is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding? How come? Multiple reasons actually. First, x-rays are to be avoided during pregnancy due to risk of radiation exposure for the baby. There are situations though in which mammography will still be done-- for example, high risk symptoms that strongly look like the palpable mass may be breast cancer. In such cases, the abdomen is shielded while taking the x-ray. Usually ultrasound is done instead of mammography however for evaluation of palpable lumps during pregnancy.
Mammography can be hard to read during pregnancy and is virtually useless during breastfeeding due to density of the breast tissue associated with hormonal changes and lactation (or the body preparing for lactation).
So talk with your doctor about the timing of resuming mammography and clinical breast exam if you are pregnant or post partum and breast feeding. No one wants you to stop screening all together or be too delayed from your annual time frame. Waiting 6 months or so however is reasonable time for resuming screening again.
Anticipate new lumps and bumps during pregnancy and breastfeeding though and have them evaluated by your OB doctor to ensure these are "normal" and all is well. |
