I'm scheduled for a mammogram & have pierced nipples, do I take them out or can I leave them in?

Question

I'm not sure if they would effect the mammogram or not. I don't really wanna take them out, it's kind of a hassle putting them back in. Does anyone know if it's okay to leave them in during the mammogram?

Answer 1

You have to take them out - they dont even let you wear deodorant or lotions so I doubt they are going to let you wear nipple rings.  Also they would effect it because the metal in them.  

Answer 2

Generally during any x-ray your jewelry is to be removed if it is near the site being x-rayed. Why dont you call and ask them?

Answer 3

Just rake them out.

You don't want to be in the mammogram and they are pulled out by force.

Answer 4

Take them out.

Answer 5

ouch take them out

Answer 6

I am a mammographer, and also have pierced nipples.  It is not necessary to remove nipple jewelry prior to a mammogram.  As long as a foreign body (snaps, zippers, jewelry, etc) does not interfere with viewing the body part of interest, it will not have to be removed.

We take two views of each breast for a mammogram.  For the CC view, we compress the breast from top to bottom.  The nipple is at the edge of the breast, so the jewelry does not interfere with viewing the rest of the breast.  For the MLO, we compress from side to side, and the nipple is again at the edge of the breast and jewelry does not cover up or hide any of the breast tissue.

For a chest x-ray, we take an image from your back to your front, and the nipple rings would be visible, superimposed on lung tissue.  So, they should be removed for a chest x-ray.

To add to some other answerer's comments,  jewelry (or any other material for that matter) does not become radioactive when exposed to x-rays.  You are asked to not wear deodorant and perfume in the breast or underarm areas because this material can look very much like microcalcifications.  Some types and shapes of microcalcifications are the only sign of ductal carcinoma in situ.  These are the size of grains of salt.  Nobody, let alone a radiologist, will confuse nipple rings for microcalcifications.

Answer 7

You take them out as they will interfere with the picture.

Answer 8

I would take them out b4 I get there, less embarrassing than having them ask you to remove them at the appointment.

Answer 9

boob pierce??!!!

ahhhhhh! that would hurt. lol.

you prob hav 2 take them out

Answer 10

Do you want to chance cancer from the metal getting dosed with radiation?Metal retains radiation more than skin and might burn you. Microwaves are a type of radiation and you are not supposed to short circuit the emitter with any kind of metal.I forgot to remove a twist tie on frozen bread I was defrosting and it melted into a blob of molten metal.

Answer 11

NO -u will most defiently need to take them out.

Also - dont wear any deodrant...it can show up on the films looking like something when it not

Answer 12

IF I WAS YOU I WOULD TAKE THEM OFF. THAT WILL ASK YOU TO IT OFF.