However, approximately 15-20 percent of all breast cancers will not be identified by mammography alone. Mammography every year is too much radiation. The benefits far outweigh the risk. It is much more dangerous to allow breast cancer to go undetected than to be exposed to the very low dose of radiation from mammography. The amount of exposure needed for a mammogram can be compared to that received from normal sources of radiation in the environment.
Mammograms are painful.
The technologist is trained to obtain the best possible exam while minimizing discomfort. Women differ in the amount of compression that they can tolerate, so let your technologist know if the pressure is too much. However, it should not hurt. The technologist will take two or more pictures of each breast. This results in a mammogram that is as clear and detailed as possible.