People who are breastfeeding can have a mammogram without stopping nursing or discarding milk afterward, according to a University of Rochester Medicine breast imaging specialist. A new breast lump or other concerning change should also be evaluated rather than assumed to be a normal effect of lactation.
Dr. Patricia Melendez Moreno says the low-dose X-rays used for mammography do not remain in the body or collect in breast milk. In UR Medicine’s guidance, she recommends breastfeeding or pumping about 30 minutes before an appointment when possible; emptying the breasts can make the exam more comfortable and improve image quality.
The American College of Radiology’s 2026 guidance lists screening mammography as usually appropriate for lactating patients age 40 or older at average risk. Screening plans for younger people or those at higher risk depend on their circumstances and should be discussed with a clinician. Breastfeeding alone is not a reason to postpone a recommended exam.
Breast changes can make imaging harder
Pregnancy and lactation can make breast tissue denser and the breast larger, which may make some abnormalities harder to see. That does not make mammography useless. UR Medicine says imaging teams can still detect breast cancer in lactating patients and select other tests when a symptom needs evaluation.
Melendez Moreno urges patients to tell a clinician about a new or persistent lump, pain in one area, skin dimpling or an orange-peel texture, or an unusual nipple change. Many lumps during lactation are benign, but a clinician may recommend ultrasound, diagnostic mammography or both based on age and symptoms. A symptom-driven diagnostic exam is different from routine screening.
The advice about nursing normally afterward applies to a standard mammogram. Other imaging tests may involve contrast agents or medications, so patients should tell their imaging team they are breastfeeding and ask about any test-specific instructions.
UR Medicine provides screening and diagnostic mammography, including 3D mammography, at locations in Rochester and the Finger Lakes. Patients with an immediate concern should contact their own clinician rather than wait for their next routine screening appointment.
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