Are you nervous about your first mammogram?  Or avoiding getting a mammogram because you don't know what happens?  

I get it.  I really do.  

But here's the thing, mammograms SAVE LIVES every day.  

So every year, I share my mammogram on social media, to educate people about what EXACTLY happens in a mammogram, in the hopes to reduce fear and anxiety, and build a community where it's safe to ask questions and offer tips.  

So here it is, my Mammogram from 2026:

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dr. Kelly Sadauckas, DPT, OCS, WCS | Pelvic Floor Expert (@therealpelvicfloored)

What Happens in a Mammogram

1. Arrive about 15 minutes before appointment WITHOUT DEODERANT

FIRST, you'll arrive hopefully 15 minutes early, with no deodorant on.  The deodorant contains chemicals or minerals that can negatively affect the mammogram results.  So wash well beforehand.  

If you forget, they will have "deodorant removal" wipes available, but please try to not forget.

2. Change into the gown.

In this case, it opens in the front.  

At my hospital, they have WARM gowns, which is a nice touch.  

3. Answer some questions

Possibly here, or possibly BEFORE you change into the gown, the tech will ask you a few relevant questions about your hormonal history. Samples:

- When did you first get periods?

- Have you been pregnant?

- What is your family cancer history?

- Are you on hormone replacement therapy?

This is used in the computer to help calculate a peronsalized risk factor, just for you! 

4.  It's Mammo Time!

You'll step up to the machine.  The tech will guide you through the process, step by step.

They usually take 3 (or more) pictures of each breast.  

- ONE facing directly forward (gets the middle of the boob)

- ONE facing forward, but getting the boob meets armpit area

- ONE facing diagonal, getting the boob meets armpit area

For each picture, the boob will be smooshed between two plastic plates, and you'll be asked to "hold your breath" for 3-sec while the machine takes the picture.  

5. You're Done!

After less than 10 minutes, you're done!  GREAT JOB, YOU, on keeping yourself healthy!!

Common Questions About Mammograms

1. Does it hurt? 

This is a great question, and one of the primary reasons women avoid getting mammas.  

Yes, they squish your boobs between two plates into a giant pancake (even small boobs make a giant pancake, somehow).  But TBH, it's more pressure than pain.  

IF YOU HAVE PAIN WITH MAMMOS, here are tips:

- Schedule your mammogram >7 days after your menstrual cycle begins.  The boobs tend to be most sore in the few days leading up to the cycle, and week of the cycle (although they should be painfree, ladies!!). So scheduling this after the bleeding phase will be more comfortable. 

- Try to control inflammation, and limit caffeine in the days prior to the mammo.  Stress, inflammation and caffeine will all make the breasts more tender

2. Is it embarrassing to have someone see your boobs? 

Would you rather die of breast cancer?  

Sorry to be crass, but it's literally ONE HUMAN seeing your boobs.  Each year, my yearly mammo video on social media gets over 100K view, of TOTAL STRANGERS.  

And you know what, there's really no creeps in the comments--it's just humans offering gratitude for the education, and humans with questions (or answers) as a part of a community.  It's truly amazing. 

And EVERY YEAR, someone is encouraged to get one by these posts, and most years, they report to me that "they found something" that they wouldn't have otherwise discovered if she had kept postponing the test.  

Additionally, remember that this is literally the tech's job to do this.  They want to keep you happy and healthy.  They are not judging you.  And if you feel they ARE judging you, then go to another place for your next mammo! 

I hope this was helpful!  

Comment on my socials with any questions you have, or tips for others, and thank you for being here!

XOXO
Dr. Kelly