Future mammograms are compared to the first to determine if changes have occurred in the breast tissue. A mammogram is simply a breast X-ray. During the procedure, two smooth, flat plastic plates press the breast, flattening it so the most tissue can be examined with the least radiation. A total of four pictures are usually taken - two of each breast. The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes.
Some women feel a little discomfort during or after mammography.
If you are still menstruating, you may be able to reduce this discomfort by scheduling your exam two weeks after your period, when your breasts are less likely to be tender. If any lumps or abnormalities are detected in the mammogram, further tests will help determine if they are cancerous. Only about 25 percent of all abnormalities found during screenings are eventually diagnosed as cancer. While mammography is the most effective means of detecting breast cancer, it does not find all breast cancers. By combining mammography with breast self-examination and examinations from your physician, you are most likely to detect cancer early, when it often is curable.