Guidelines for Mammograms
Age 30 - Begin screening mammography if your mother or sister had breast cancer before menopause.
Age 40 - Begin mammography whether or not you have experienced symptoms of breast cancer
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast, usually taken from both the top and side view. During a
mammogram, the breast is moderately compressed; this separates the breast’s fibrous and glandular
elements to allow for clearer and more accurate breast pictures. Today’s modernized equipment is
designed to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
Some women are reluctant to have a mammogram because they are concerned about radiation exposure.
However, advances in mammographic technology ensure that the radiation exposure from an average
mammogram is very minimal. The small degree of risk from radiation exposure during a mammogram is
more than offset by the potential benefit of discovering breast cancer in its earliest stages.
While mammography remains the best and most accurate tool in detecting breast cancer, it is still not
foolproof or perfect. Some cancers can be felt on physical examination but be invisible on the mammogram.
Age 40 - Begin mammography whether or not you have experienced symptoms of breast cancer
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast, usually taken from both the top and side view. During a
mammogram, the breast is moderately compressed; this separates the breast’s fibrous and glandular
elements to allow for clearer and more accurate breast pictures. Today’s modernized equipment is
designed to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
Some women are reluctant to have a mammogram because they are concerned about radiation exposure.
However, advances in mammographic technology ensure that the radiation exposure from an average
mammogram is very minimal. The small degree of risk from radiation exposure during a mammogram is
more than offset by the potential benefit of discovering breast cancer in its earliest stages.
While mammography remains the best and most accurate tool in detecting breast cancer, it is still not
foolproof or perfect. Some cancers can be felt on physical examination but be invisible on the mammogram.
MICROCALCIFICATIONS
About half of the breast
cancers found by
mammography appear
as clusters of
microcalcifications. These are very small specks of
calcium that cannot be felt but are visible on a
mammogram. When they are clustered in one area
in the breast, this could indicate an early sign of
breast cancer.
The average size of a malignant (cancerous)
cluster of calcifications seen on an annual
screening mammo-gram measures 0.6 cm in
diameter. Calcium deposits in the breast are not
caused by calcium supplements commonly used
to prevent osteoporosis.
MAMMOGRAM
0.2 - 0.3 cm Smallest size of a breast cancer visible
on a mammogram
0.8 cm Mammograms can detect many other
non-invasive cancers (such as DCIS) which are
less than 1.0 cm
1.1 cm Average size of cancer found on a
mammogram.
About half of the breast
cancers found by
mammography appear
as clusters of
microcalcifications. These are very small specks of
calcium that cannot be felt but are visible on a
mammogram. When they are clustered in one area
in the breast, this could indicate an early sign of
breast cancer.
The average size of a malignant (cancerous)
cluster of calcifications seen on an annual
screening mammo-gram measures 0.6 cm in
diameter. Calcium deposits in the breast are not
caused by calcium supplements commonly used
to prevent osteoporosis.
MAMMOGRAM
0.2 - 0.3 cm Smallest size of a breast cancer visible
on a mammogram
0.8 cm Mammograms can detect many other
non-invasive cancers (such as DCIS) which are
less than 1.0 cm
1.1 cm Average size of cancer found on a
mammogram.
SELF-EXAM
1 cm Average size of cancer found by women who
practice regular breast self-exam.
2.62 cm Average size of cancer detected in a
physician physical exam for women who do not
practice regular self-exam.
LUMPS AND MASSES
The other half of the breast
cancers found by mammography appear as a mass
or abnormal density on the mammogram. Some
cancers may be felt as a lump on physical
examination and be invisible on the mammogram. In
these cases, ultrasound (sound wave examination)
is useful. This is especially true in dense, glandular
breasts. A palpable lump should never be ignored
because it is not visible on a mammogram. Such
lumps should instead be aspirated, or drained with a
needle. If the lump cannot be aspirated, it should be
removed or biopsied.
1 cm Average size of cancer found by women who
practice regular breast self-exam.
2.62 cm Average size of cancer detected in a
physician physical exam for women who do not
practice regular self-exam.
LUMPS AND MASSES
The other half of the breast
cancers found by mammography appear as a mass
or abnormal density on the mammogram. Some
cancers may be felt as a lump on physical
examination and be invisible on the mammogram. In
these cases, ultrasound (sound wave examination)
is useful. This is especially true in dense, glandular
breasts. A palpable lump should never be ignored
because it is not visible on a mammogram. Such
lumps should instead be aspirated, or drained with a
needle. If the lump cannot be aspirated, it should be
removed or biopsied.
BREAST CANCER
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