Screening tests should always be a shared and informed decision between you and your doctor. Getting screened can include some risks; though generally minor, they’re worth discussing. According to the National Institutes of Health, risks include:
False positive test result: This can occur when a medical provider sees something on a test that looks like cancer but is not. This can lead to unnecessary emotional stress or further diagnostic testing.
Overdiagnosis: Occurs when when doctors recommend aggressively treating a cancer that would not have actually caused symptoms. The treatment can be invasive and have negative side effects.
Radiation: Mammography exposes the body to a very small amount of radiation (less than a standard chest x-ray).
Discomfort: Getting a mammogram can cause a small amount of pain or discomfort during the test.
To learn more about the importance of breast cancer screenings and whether they’re right for you, visit UPMC Magee-Womens Imaging. Editor's Note: This gallery was originally published on October 2, 2020, and was last reviewed on July 26, 2022.