A mammogram is a low dose x-ray of the breast used to identify tumours and other abnormalities. Mammography is widely regarded to be the most effective method of breast cancer detection, and has been shown to improve the chances of survival through early detection. You will be asked to remove clothing from the waist up. Your breasts are placed on the resting plate and a compression device is applied. The compression is crucial in producing accurate images of the breast tissue and may cause some mild discomfort temporarily. It is not dangerous and does not cause damage to the breast tissue.

Routinely, the technologist takes two views of each breast. After the films have been developed, these Radiographs are checked by the technologist for clinical accuracy before you leave. Those films are then viewed by a radiologist specially trained in the interpretation of breast images . Depending upon the images you may be asked for additional imaging like Ultrasound or MRI .