Written by Mammography is an X-ray examination of the breast that is used to detect and diagnose breast disease, especially Breast cancer. Mammogram is done when a lump is found. In mammography, the breasts are compressed between two plates and generally up to three pictures are taken. A cancerous area shows as a dense, white patch and can be seen on a mammogram before it can be felt by manual examination. Mammography can indicate whether a lump is malignant (infectious or cancerous) or benign.
Age for testing
Doctors suggest mammograms every year for every woman starting at age 40 but if there is a family history of breast cancer mammogram should be done at an earlier age.