A mammogram uses low-dose X-rays to screen for early signs of breast cancer. Proper preparation is important because it directly influences the clarity of the resulting images and helps avoid the need for follow-up scans. Understanding what to avoid before your appointment will ensure the most accurate and comfortable experience possible.
Avoid Creams, Deodorants, and Powders
The most important preparation step is to completely avoid applying any topical products to your breasts, chest, or underarm area on the day of the exam. This includes deodorant, antiperspirant, body powders, lotions, perfumes, and creams. Many of these personal care items, particularly deodorants and antiperspirants, contain metallic substances like aluminum.
These metallic particles, even in trace amounts, absorb the X-rays and appear on the mammogram as tiny white specks. These small, dense spots can visually mimic microcalcifications, which are small calcium deposits that can sometimes be an early indicator of breast cancer. The inability to distinguish between product residue and genuine calcifications can lead to a false-positive result, potentially requiring a callback for additional imaging. If you forget and apply a product, inform the technologist immediately upon arrival, as most facilities keep special wipes available to thoroughly clean the area before the examination begins.
Lotions and creams can also pose a problem for image quality, even if they do not contain metallic particles. Applying these products can make the skin on the breast slippery, which may cause the breast tissue to slide when the technologist attempts to position and compress it between the imaging plates. This slippage can result in motion blur or an inability to properly flatten the tissue. This leads to a blurry or obscured image that is difficult for the radiologist to read accurately.
Scheduling to Minimize Discomfort
For pre-menopausal women, the timing of the mammogram relative to the menstrual cycle is a significant factor in both comfort and image clarity. Hormonal fluctuations throughout the cycle can cause breast tissue to become more sensitive and tender. It is advised to avoid scheduling the appointment during the week preceding or during your menstrual period.
During this time, elevated hormone levels can cause the breasts to become swollen and dense. This heightened sensitivity makes the necessary compression during the mammogram more painful. Increased breast density can also obscure the X-ray images, making it harder to detect small abnormalities. The ideal time to schedule your mammogram is during the first two weeks of your cycle, immediately following the end of your period, when the tissue is less dense and less tender. For post-menopausal women, timing is not a factor since these hormonal fluctuations are no longer occurring.
Prepare for the Examination Room
Your choice of clothing should prioritize ease of undressing, as you will need to remove all clothing and jewelry from the waist up. Therefore, you should not wear a one-piece outfit, such as a dress, jumpsuit, or overalls. Wearing a two-piece outfit, like a skirt or pants with a separate top, allows you to remain clothed from the waist down, which improves comfort and efficiency.
You should also leave all unnecessary accessories at home, especially jewelry worn around the neck or chest. Necklaces and dangling earrings must be removed because they can interfere with the imaging plate or cast shadows on the X-ray. This interference could potentially require a repeat scan. If you have long hair, tie it back to ensure it does not hang down and obstruct the image of the upper chest area.