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Mammography
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Mammography

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Summary

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast. Health care providers use mammograms to look for early signs of breast cancer that can't be felt during a breast exam. There are two types of mammograms: screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms.

What is a screening mammogram?

A screening mammogram is a mammogram usually done for women who have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. Regular screening mammograms can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 74. This is because they can find breast cancer early and treatment can start earlier, maybe before it has spread.

But screening mammograms can also have risks. They can sometimes find something that looks abnormal but isn't cancer. This leads to further testing and can cause you anxiety. Sometimes mammograms can miss cancer when it is there. It also exposes you to radiation. You should talk to your provider about the benefits and drawbacks of mammograms. Together, you can decide when to start and how often to have a mammogram.

What is a diagnostic mammogram?

A diagnostic mammogram takes a little longer to do than a screening mammogram. It's done for people who have a lump or other signs or symptoms of breast cancer. The signs can include breast pain, thickening of the skin of the breast, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape. But these signs can also be caused by a breast condition that is benign (not cancer). A diagnostic mammogram may also be used if you have breast implants or if there are other reasons it's difficult to view your breast tissue.

How is a mammogram done?

When you have a mammogram, you stand in front of an x-ray machine. The person who takes the x-rays places your breast between two plastic plates. The plates press your breast and make it flat. This may be uncomfortable, but it helps get a clear picture.

You will get both breasts x-rayed from the front and from the side. Afterwards, a radiologist (a doctor with special training) will read the mammogram. The doctor will look at the x-ray for early signs of breast cancer or other problems. You will usually get the results within a few weeks, although it depends on the clinic or medical office that you went to. If your results are not normal, you should hear back earlier. Ask your provider when and how you will receive your results.

What happens if my mammogram is not normal?

An abnormal (not normal) mammogram does not always mean that there is cancer. You will need to have additional mammograms, tests, or exams before your provider can tell for sure. You may also be referred to a breast specialist or a surgeon. But it does not necessarily mean you have cancer or need surgery. You would see one of these doctors because they are experts in diagnosing breast problems.

Start Here

  • About Mammograms (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
  • Mammograms (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
  • Mammograms From the National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
  • Mammography (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America)

Related Issues

  • Accuracy of Mammograms (Susan G. Komen for the Cure)
  • Breast Cancer Screening: Thermogram No Substitute for Mammogram (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
  • Dense Breasts (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
  • Dense Breasts: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions From the National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
  • Mammograms for Women with Breast Implants (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
  • Mammography: What You Need to Know (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
  • What Does the Doctor Look for on a Mammogram? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish

Specifics

  • Breast Tomosynthesis (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Digital Mammography (Food and Drug Administration)
  • Galactography (Ductography) Video (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Statistics and Research

  • FastStats: Mammography (National Center for Health Statistics)
  • Newer and Experimental Breast Imaging Tests (American Cancer Society)
  • Women with Disabilities and Breast Cancer Screening (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Mammography From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: A randomized trial to evaluate the impact of breast density notification...
  • Article: Comparison of supplemental breast cancer imaging techniques-interim results from the BRAID...
  • Article: Awareness of digital tomosynthesis and attitudes towards breast cancer early diagnosis...
  • Mammography -- see more articles

Find an Expert

  • American Cancer Society
  • Find a Screening Program Near You (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
  • Mammography Facilities (Food and Drug Administration)
  • National Cancer Institute From the National Institutes of Health Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

  • Mammogram (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Mammogram - calcifications (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Mammography

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Breast cancer screenings
  • Mammogram
  • Mammogram - calcifications

Related Health Topics

  • Breast Cancer
  • Breast Diseases

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Mammography is the National Cancer Institute

Other Languages

Find health information in languages other than English on Mammography

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

  • My Mammogram Was "Abnormal" What Do I do Next?

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