To prepare for a mammogram, wear a two-piece outfit and avoid deodorant, antiperspirant, powder, lotion, or perfume on your breasts and underarms that day. Bring details of past mammograms and tell the staff about breast changes, implants, breastfeeding, or possible pregnancy. If your breasts are often sore around your period, consider booking for the week after it. You usually do not need special preparation.
A mammogram is an X-ray examination that creates pictures of breast tissue. It may be used for routine breast cancer screening or to investigate a breast change that needs further evaluation. Knowing what to do before your appointment can help you feel more comfortable and help the imaging team obtain clear pictures.
What should you do before a mammogram?
Most people do not need extensive preparation, fasting, or a special diet before a mammogram. However, practical steps can make the appointment easier. The NHS guidance on breast screening appointments recommends choosing easy-to-remove clothing, removing certain jewelry, and avoiding deodorant or talcum powder on the day of the examination.
Avoid certain skin products on the day
Do not apply the following products to your breasts or underarms before the examination:
- Deodorant or antiperspirant
- Talcum powder or other body powders
- Body lotion, creams, or ointments
- Perfume or fragranced products
Some products contain substances that can appear as spots on an X-ray and make the images harder to interpret. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises avoiding deodorant, perfume, lotion, and powder under the arms and on the breasts on the day of a mammogram. Follow any additional instructions provided by your imaging center.
Wear clothing that is easy to remove
Choose a two-piece outfit, such as a shirt with trousers or a skirt. You will generally need to remove your clothing and bra from the waist up, so wearing a separate top makes changing easier. The facility will usually provide a gown or covering for privacy.
Leave necklaces at home when possible and remove nipple jewelry before the examination. If you wear a chest binder, tell the imaging team and follow their instructions about removing it for the procedure. These simple steps help the technologist position you without unnecessary delays.
What information should you bring to your appointment?
Previous breast images can help the radiologist compare your current mammogram with earlier examinations. If you are visiting a new imaging center, ask whether your previous images and reports can be transferred before your appointment. Bring any records you have, including previous mammogram reports, biopsy results, and information about breast surgery.
The American Cancer Society also recommends telling the healthcare team about breast changes, breast implants, hormone use, and relevant personal or family medical history. Sharing this information helps the team decide whether additional imaging or a different examination approach may be appropriate.
Before the test begins, tell the staff about any new breast lump, nipple discharge, skin change, or other breast concern you have noticed. A mammogram arranged to investigate a symptom may require a diagnostic examination rather than a routine screening study. Let the scheduling team know about your concern so they can arrange the appropriate appointment.
When is the best time to schedule a mammogram?
If you still menstruate and your breasts become tender or swollen around your period, consider scheduling your appointment for the week after menstruation. Breast tenderness may be less noticeable at that time, making compression more comfortable. The Mayo Clinic guidance on mammograms recommends choosing a time when the breasts are least tender, which is often the week after a menstrual period.
After menopause, menstrual timing is no longer a factor in scheduling. You can generally choose a convenient appointment time. If you have a new breast change or your clinician has recommended prompt diagnostic imaging, contact the imaging center for advice rather than delaying the examination simply to find a less tender point in your cycle.
What if you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding?
Tell your healthcare professional and the imaging team if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding. This information allows them to consider your circumstances and determine the appropriate imaging approach. Do not assume that you should automatically cancel an examination; ask the clinician who ordered the test or the imaging center what to do.
If you have breast implants, mention them when scheduling and again when you arrive. The technologist may need to use additional images or special positioning to obtain clear pictures of the breast tissue.
What happens during a mammogram?
When you arrive, the staff will confirm your details and ask about relevant breast symptoms or medical history. You will change into a gown or remove your clothing from the waist up in private. The technologist will then help position you in front of the mammography machine.
One breast at a time is placed on a platform and gently compressed between two surfaces. This spreads the tissue so the machine can produce clear images. The pressure lasts for a few seconds for each picture, and the technologist usually takes images from more than one angle. Both breasts are examined during a typical screening mammogram.
Compression can feel uncomfortable or painful, particularly if your breasts are already tender. Tell the technologist if you experience significant discomfort, have difficulty maintaining your position, or need help standing or raising your arms. You can ask questions before the test starts and tell the staff if anxiety or a previous difficult experience is making the appointment stressful.
How can you make the appointment more comfortable?
A few practical preparations can help you feel more at ease:
- Arrive with enough time to check in without rushing.
- Tell the technologist about breast tenderness or previous difficulties with mammograms.
- Explain any mobility limitations, pain, or difficulty standing still.
- Ask the staff to explain each step before positioning or compression begins.
- Discuss any privacy, modesty, communication, or accessibility needs before the examination.
You do not need to remain silent if the pressure is too uncomfortable. The technologist may be able to adjust your position or the way the examination is performed. The appointment itself is usually brief, although the total time can vary depending on the facility and whether additional images are needed.
What should you do after the mammogram?
Most people can dress and return to their usual activities after the examination. Before leaving, ask the imaging center how and when you will receive your results and whom to contact if they do not arrive as expected. The timing varies between facilities and depends on whether the examination is routine screening or diagnostic imaging.
Sometimes the imaging team requests additional pictures or another examination because the original images do not provide enough information. This does not automatically mean that cancer is present. Follow the instructions from your healthcare team, attend any recommended follow-up appointments, and ask for an explanation if you are unsure about the next step.
Remember that preparation is usually straightforward: avoid products that could affect the images, wear easy-to-remove clothing, bring previous breast records when available, and share relevant medical information with the team. These steps help the appointment run smoothly and support accurate interpretation of your mammogram.