What Is Breast Cancer Screening?
Breast cancer screening uses mammography — a low-dose X-ray of the breast — to find cancer early, before it can be felt or causes symptoms. Finding breast cancer at this stage makes it far more treatable and improves survival.
When to Start and How Often
Major guidelines recommend women begin regular screening mammograms at age 40. Most recommend screening every one to two years. The right start age and interval depend on your personal and family history, so your physician helps you choose a plan and the guideline that fits you.
Women at higher risk — a strong family history, a known genetic mutation such as BRCA, or prior chest radiation — may need to start earlier and add breast MRI.
How a Mammogram Is Done
A screening mammogram is performed at an imaging center. Each breast is briefly compressed between two plates while low-dose X-ray images are taken. The compression can feel tight for a few seconds but isn't usually painful. A radiologist reads the images and shares results with you and your physician.
Understanding Your Results
Most screening mammograms are normal. If an area needs a closer look, you may return for additional imaging or ultrasound — this is common. Your physician coordinates any further evaluation and helps you understand what the findings mean and what comes next.