Even if you have no breast problems and your doctor has never recommended a mammogram, you should have one yearly if you are 40 years or older. Mammograms help detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Pictures are taken while the breast is squeezed between two plates for a few seconds. You will feel some discomfort when your breasts are compressed, but you should not feel pain.
Compression is necessary to produce the best picture using the lowest amount of radiation.
The entire procedure only takes about 20 minutes. Please make time for this valuable screening.