Yes, you can wear jeans to a mammogram; lower-body attire is completely acceptable for the procedure. A mammogram is a medical imaging test focused exclusively on the breast tissue, meaning only your upper body needs to be undressed for the exam. Since the X-ray imaging process does not involve the area below the waist, your choice of pants, skirt, or shorts will not interfere with the quality of the images. The primary considerations involve what must be removed from the waist up and what products must be avoided on the skin.
Clothing Requirements for the Procedure
Breast imaging requires the patient to be undressed from the waist up for proper positioning on the mammography unit. You will be provided with a comfortable gown that opens in the front to maintain privacy. This requires removing all upper-body garments, including shirts, tank tops, and any type of bra.
Any jewelry around the neck or chest, such as necklaces or long dangling earrings, should also be removed before the scan. These items can create shadows or artifacts on the X-ray image that could obscure breast tissue or be mistaken for an abnormality. Since the lower body remains clothed, jeans or pants remain out of the imaging field underneath the examination gown.
Products That Interfere with Imaging
A more pressing concern than clothing is the use of certain topical products on the day of your appointment. You should refrain from applying deodorant, antiperspirant, body powder, or lotions to your chest, breasts, and underarm areas. This restriction is based on the chemical composition of these products.
Many deodorants and antiperspirants contain metallic compounds, such as aluminum, zinc, or talc, which are dense enough to be picked up by the X-ray machine. When these metallic residues appear on the mammogram image, they look like tiny white specks. These specks can mimic the appearance of microcalcifications, which are small calcium deposits that can sometimes signal early-stage breast cancer. Product residue can lead to a false positive result, potentially necessitating additional testing to distinguish between a cosmetic artifact and a true medical finding.
Dressing for Maximum Comfort and Efficiency
While jeans are permitted, selecting an outfit that facilitates quick changing can make your appointment smoother and more efficient. It is highly recommended to choose a two-piece outfit, such as a shirt with pants or a skirt, rather than a one-piece garment like a dress or jumpsuit.
A two-piece ensemble allows you to fully remove your top and bra while keeping your lower body covered in your own clothing beneath the provided gown. If you wear a dress or jumpsuit, you would be required to remove the entire garment. Wearing slip-on shoes or other comfortable footwear is also helpful, as you will be standing during the brief imaging process and may be changing clothing in a small dressing area.