The different procedures of getting a breast cancer screening are:   Clinical breast exam: Here, breasts are physically examined by a doctor who uses his hand to feel lumps or any other changes in the breasts.   Mammography: An X-ray of the breasts which is considered the best technique to detect cancer at an early stage. It can even show the lumps or other changes before a patient or doctor can feel them. There are three types of mammography: Film Mammography: The technique results in an X-ray picture of the breast Digital Mammography: The technique results in a computer based picture of the breast Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT): The technique results in pictures of breasts from many different angles to finally make 3-D pictures of the breasts.   Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This technique uses radio waves to take pictures of the breasts. It is mostly used for  women who are at high risk for breast cancer; either due to family history of the disease or other underlying conditions.    Breast Ultrasound: This is used for pregnant women who cannot be exposed to X-rays used in mammography or who are unable to undergo an MRI examination. This technique is also for those with dense breast tissue (less fat and lots of ducts, glands and tissues), which makes it harder to detect cancers with traditional mammography.