A mammogram is considered a safe procedure with no side effects. Studies have shown that regular screenings can help reduce the number of breast cancer deaths in women. Detecting cancer early and treating it immediately, before it spreads, increases the patient's chances of remission. Mammography allows doctors to detect small tumors that are easier to treat than larger, more developed tumors.
This procedure can also detect small abnormal growths in the milk ducts of the breast, called ductal carcinoma in situ, also known as DCIS. Early removal of these growths will remove the risk of future harm.