Looking for ideas to protect under breast skin to prevent another episode of cellulitis after a routine mammogram.
Post radiotherapy, my skin under breast is fragile like puff pastry. It fractures easily if hot/sweaty so always look after it.
But last year during mammogram, the radiologist really stretched my breast to get the scan. I told them how badly it hurt but carried on regardless.
The next day I had an open wound the whole length of my breast underneath and it got infected. It led to cellulitis up my shoulder, around my back and I was almost hospitalised.
So I’m looking for ideas to prevent this happening in a month’s time when I go for my next mammogram. I can’t wear barrier cream on the day but thinking of Hydromol/similar in advance. I’ve asked my Breast Nurse but she said “just tell the radiographer”.
Thank you.
I guess “tell the radiographer” - but this time you can detail exactly what happened last time, rather than just saying that it hurts.
They’re meant to check breast for cancer, not rip it open! It is of course important that a good image is obtained and I’ve found that over the years of clear regular mammograms pre 2023 there was quite a variation in the discomfort, pulling about and repeat positioning involved. Whether they were all as good image wise I obviously don’t know…
♀️ I do hope it goes ok this time for you.
With the skin, last year I trod a line between moisturised but not actually wet and was a bit concerned with my first mammogram about 6 weeks after radiotherapy, but was ok as it turned out. I occasionally gave under breast a blow with cool hairdryer if I’d got hot and sweaty. I was favouring the richest version of Aveeno oat lotion at the time..
All the best xx
