Can personal care products affect mammogram results?

Yes, personal care products can affect the results of a mammogram. It is recommended to avoid using deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, lotions, creams, and perfumes around the breast area or underarms on the day of the mammogram. These products can appear on X-ray images as white spots, which may lead to misinterpretations or the need for additional examinations to clarify the results [2].

Why should personal care products be avoided before a mammogram?

Mammograms rely on X-rays to create images of the breast. Dense tissue and certain abnormalities, such as masses or calcifications, appear white, while fatty tissue appears dark [3]. Personal care products applied to the breast or underarm area, such as deodorants or lotions, can leave residues that appear on the mammogram image as white spots [4]. These spots may resemble microcalcifications, which are tiny calcium deposits that can sometimes be a sign of breast cancer [2]. Consequently, the presence of these substances can hinder the radiologist's ability to read the image accurately, potentially leading to unnecessary anxiety or the need for a re-examination [4].

How to prepare for a mammogram to ensure the best results?

To ensure the most accurate results from your mammogram, it is important to follow some simple guidelines:

• Avoid personal care products: On the day of the exam, do not use deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, lotions, creams, or perfumes on the breasts or underarms [2].
• Comfortable clothing: Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove from the upper body, as you will need to undress from the waist up during the examination [4].
• Timing of the exam: If possible, try not to schedule your mammogram right before or during your menstrual period, as breasts may be more sensitive and painful during this time [2]. The best time for a mammogram is one week after your period ends [4].
• Inform the doctor: Inform your doctor or the radiology technician about any changes you have noticed in your breast, any previous breast surgeries, the presence of breast implants, or if there is a possibility of pregnancy [4].

What happens if suspicious white spots appear?

If suspicious white spots appear on the mammogram, additional examinations may be needed to interpret them, such as magnified images or other types of imaging determined by the radiology team [1]. It is important to remember that abnormal results on a mammogram do not always mean cancer is present, but they do require further evaluation [1]. Most of these additional examinations turn out to be normal [4]. If you have any concerns about your mammogram results, you should speak with your healthcare provider to discuss the next steps [1]. For more information about mammogram screenings, you can visit Mammogram screening for women in Jordan (Arabic).

Medical references

• Mammograms
• Mammography
• Dense Breasts: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
• Mammography (Mammogram): Early detection of breast disease.