Should I Wear a Thyroid Guard for a Mammogram?

A mammogram is an imaging procedure to detect and diagnose breast diseases, especially breast cancer. Mammograms use a small amount of radiation to produce the images, which leads some patients to ask if they should wear a thyroid guard during the procedure.

This article explains what a thyroid guard is and whether it is necessary when getting a mammogram.

What Is a Thyroid Guard?

A thyroid guard (or thyroid shield) is a collar containing lead that can be worn around the neck during medical procedures to shield the thyroid gland from radiation. It was developed because the thyroid gland is sensitive to radiation, and exposure to it can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.

Is a Thyroid Guard Necessary for a Mammogram?

Generally speaking, there is no need to wear a thyroid guard when getting a mammogram. That’s true for multiple reasons. First, mammograms use a minimal amount of radiation. By some estimates, the amount of radiation in the typical two X-rays per breast is equal to 30 minutes of the natural “background radiation” that is all around us. Consequently, the total amount of radiation over all the mammograms a woman needs in her lifetime is considered negligible.

In fact, the American College of Radiology has stated that the chance of developing thyroid cancer after receiving annual mammograms from ages 40 to 80 without a thyroid shield is less than 1 in 17.1 million. So, while the chance is not zero, the risk is extremely small.

Another reason a thyroid guard is unnecessary for a mammogram is because the radiation is highly targeted. It passes through the breasts to create the images but doesn’t strike other parts of the body in any significant quantities. A small amount of what’s called scatter radiation is produced, but it is a fraction of the background radiation our bodies receive in a day.

In addition to being unnecessary, thyroid guards can get in the way during a mammogram. Depending on the guard’s size and positioning, it can interfere with the imaging process. Mammograms captured while the patient is wearing a thyroid guard can be incomplete or distorted, opening the door to misinterpretation or requiring another mammogram.

Thyroid Guards and Mammograms: Respecting Your Choice

The science is clear that mammograms do not increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Still, if you are more comfortable wearing one, you certainly can.

Whatever you decide, just be sure to get mammograms as directed by your healthcare provider. The simple imaging procedure can detect breast cancer even before you experience any symptoms, significantly improving your treatment outcome.

Although the procedure can be mildly and briefly uncomfortable, it’s not painful and it provides tremendous peace of mind about your breast health.

Talk With Your Baptist Health Provider About Thyroid Guards

If you have questions about thyroid guards and mammograms, your provider can answer them, providing facts you can use to determine how to proceed. If you don’t have a Baptist Health provider, you can use our online directory to find one.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources

Learn More About Women's Care at Baptist Health
3D Mammography
3D Mammography for Breast Cancer Detection
Preparing for a Mammogram