When you’re going in for a mammogram, it’s important to avoid wearing skin care products in the area of your underarms or chest. Some of these products include:
This is because many of these products contain ingredients, particularly aluminum, that can affect the X-ray images produced during a mammogram. Basically, particles from skin care products can mimic calcifications on an X-ray.
Calcifications are small calcium deposits that can happen due to things like breast injuries, infections, or cysts. However, they can also be an early sign of developing breast cancer.
Because of this, when calcifications show up on a mammogram, your doctor will want to investigate them further. This often involves additional imaging tests.
Therefore, wearing skin care products can potentially lead to additional, unnecessary testing. If you’re concerned about skin care products and your mammogram, try following some of the tips below: