I just scheduled my first mammo for next week. Any great tips or advice? This is breast cancer awareness month, I am doing my part finally!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, October 2, 2006 - 12:21 pm:

I've had several. They are fairly quick and painless. A little uncomfortable, but not a big deal. Each breast will be flattened and squeezed from top to bottom and from side to side.

By Karen~admin on Monday, October 2, 2006 - 03:14 pm:

Don't wear deodorant before your mammo - they usually tell you not to put on deodorant, perfume or body lotion until after the test. Good luck!

By Kaye on Monday, October 2, 2006 - 04:04 pm:

Karen they did tell me that...why not though? does it show on the xrays?

By Trina~moderator on Monday, October 2, 2006 - 04:23 pm:

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that. Apparently deoderant and body lotions, etc. can mess up the x-rays and require them to be done over. I bring my deoderant with me so that I can put it on immediately after the mammo.

By Pamt on Monday, October 2, 2006 - 05:25 pm:

If you put solid deodorant just on your armpits it is okay. I work at a wellness where they do mammos all day long. The techs told me it was fine as long as you don't use spray or go crazy with the deo. It does show artifact in the xrays if you use too much. I've only had 1 mammmo and I didn't wear deo and I was horrified at how terrible my armpits smelled when I raised my arm, so I asked one of my friends who is a tech about wearing deodorant next time.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, October 2, 2006 - 10:21 pm:

They always give me wipes to clean off the deoderant, so then the next time, I didn't bother. I brought some with me, so I could put it on afterwards.

The tech told me in the anti-perspirant has aluminum clorhydrate in it and that it shows up on the x-ray.

Mammo FAQs

Please do not wear body powder of underarm deodorant to your appointment. The chemical within these contain aluminum chlorhydrate that can affect the reading. Schedule an appointment during the two weeks following your menstrual period. Your breasts tend to be more tender before menstruation, so coming in will make the procedure more comfortable for you. Also, for the same reason, you should avoid any product containing caffeine for two weeks before your exam.

Postmenopausal women may also refrain from caffeine if comfort is an issue for them.

By Marcia on Monday, October 2, 2006 - 11:08 pm:

My best advice is to not panic about it. I was so nervous the first time, I felt sick. Although it was uncomfortable, it was nothing like what I expected.

By Sandysmom on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 08:14 am:

I recently had my first Mammogram in August. I was really nervous at first because of some things I heard but the Tech that did it was very nice and gentle. It turns out that I've had my arm squeezed harder when having my blood pressure taken. I worked myself up for nothing. The day of your Mammogram, don't wear any deodorant or powder or perfumes. That's the only thing I was told to do to prepare. Good luck. BTW, my Mammo came out normal.

By Breann on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 10:18 am:

I've had one! I was a nervous wreck before I went. But, it was super easy. It wasn't even that painful. Both of the ladies doing it were very nice and talkative. That helped a lot.

I would rather have a mammogram anyday, over a pap test!

I wore deodorant to the appointment, and they gave me wipes to wipe it off with. Not a big deal. Next time I'll take deodorant in my purse so I can reapply it when it's over.