Mammography (Mammogram)
Mammography is an X-ray examination of the breasts that can detect cysts or tumors
unpalpable during a physical examination. A biopsy of an area of suspicion may be needed to
confirm malignancy. Mammography may follow screening procedures, such as ultrasonography or
thermography.
There are two uses of mammograms (screening and diagnostic). A screening mammogram is used
to screen for unsuspected breast cancer in women with no signs or symptoms. It usually involves two
X-ray images of each breast to detect tumors or small calcifications within the breast tissue. While
a diagnostic mammogram is used to diagnose breast cancer in a patient with a suspicious lump or
other signs such as breast pain, nipple discharge, thickening of breast skin, or sudden change in
breast shape or size. It is also utilized to examine breast abnormalities found during a screening
mammogram and in such cases for patients with breast implants since it provides a more detailed x-
ray of the breast than using a screening mammogram.
Although mammography can detect 90-95 % of breast cancers, this test produces many false-
positive results. The American College of Radiologists, American Cancer Society, and the
National Cancer Institute suggest that women should begin screening mammograms at age 40
annually for women with average risk while higher-risk women should start earlier and may benefit
from supplemental screening modalities.
Types
Full-field digital mammography (FFDM). Also known as digital mammography, is
performed in the same manner as conventional screen-film mammography (SFM). The
difference is that FFDM images are generated by digital signals rather than from the
Mammography is an X-ray examination of the breasts that can detect cysts or tumors
unpalpable during a physical examination. A biopsy of an area of suspicion may be needed to
confirm malignancy. Mammography may follow screening procedures, such as ultrasonography or
thermography.
There are two uses of mammograms (screening and diagnostic). A screening mammogram is used
to screen for unsuspected breast cancer in women with no signs or symptoms. It usually involves two
X-ray images of each breast to detect tumors or small calcifications within the breast tissue. While
a diagnostic mammogram is used to diagnose breast cancer in a patient with a suspicious lump or
other signs such as breast pain, nipple discharge, thickening of breast skin, or sudden change in
breast shape or size. It is also utilized to examine breast abnormalities found during a screening
mammogram and in such cases for patients with breast implants since it provides a more detailed x-
ray of the breast than using a screening mammogram.
Although mammography can detect 90-95 % of breast cancers, this test produces many false-
positive results. The American College of Radiologists, American Cancer Society, and the
National Cancer Institute suggest that women should begin screening mammograms at age 40
annually for women with average risk while higher-risk women should start earlier and may benefit
from supplemental screening modalities.
Types
Full-field digital mammography (FFDM). Also known as digital mammography, is
performed in the same manner as conventional screen-film mammography (SFM). The
difference is that FFDM images are generated by digital signals rather than from the
