Internally Peer Reviewed All women are at risk of developing breast cancer simply because of their gender. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and one out of nine women will get it at some time during their life. But regular mammograms can detect breast cancer early enough to cure it and save the breast. Screening mammography is the best way to detect breast cancer before it can be felt through breast exams.
Modern mammography is safe and effective.
With current equipment, the radiation dose of a screening mammogram is extremely low, about the same as a dental X-ray. Mammography cannot detect all breast cancers. Interpreting a mammogram can be difficult. Occasionally, a very early cancer is only seen when a radiologist compares your current mammogram to ones you had before. Eleven national health care organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Radiology, have agreed that beginning at age 40, women should have a doctor's physical examination and a screening mammogram every year.