Introduction: Mammography is a key imaging method for the early detection of breast cancer, where proper imaging technique and correct patient positioning are essential for
high-quality diagnostics. Despite its diagnostic value, patients may experience pain or discomfort during the examination. Although pain is a protective mechanism, an unpleasant experience may affect women’s attitudes towards preventive examinations and their willingness to attend future screenings. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to conduct a systematic literature review on pain during mammography to identify the causes of its occurrence and possible methods for alleviation. The objectives were to examine the psychological and physiological causes of pain and to evaluate technological, pharmacological, and non-pharmacological interventions that reduce pain during
mammography. Methods: A systematic review of professional and scientific literature was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The literature was collected from the
following databases: Web of Science, PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and Scopus, using the keywords: mammography, pain, compression, screening mammography, and
woman/women. We included articles that were freely available in full text, literature addressing mammography in women, and articles published after 2000. Due to the lack of
relevant Slovenian articles, we focused on English-language literature. The literature search was conducted between 7 January and 18 February 2026. Results: A total of 15 studies from 9 different countries were included in the thesis. Most of the included studies were cross-sectional observational studies. The PRISMA model was used to present the steps that led to the final selection of articles. Discussion and conclusion: The findings showed that both psychological and physiological factors influence the perception of pain during mammography. Therefore, an individualised approach is needed to reduce discomfort, including effective communication, procedure optimisation, and the use of non-
pharmacological and, when necessary, pharmacological interventions. With carefully planned and comprehensive patient care, it is possible to significantly reduce discomfort, improve the perception of comfort during the examination, and reduce fear, thereby increasing women’s willingness to participate regularly in repeat mammography screenings. Such an approach not only improves the immediate experience of individual patients but also has long-term positive effects on the success of screening programmes and the early detection of breast cancer. It is important that radiographers are actively involved in this process, as their professional competence, empathetic communication, and attention to patients directly influence the perception of pain.
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