MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Mammography

Medical Encyclopedia

Mammography

Mammography is a low-powered x-ray technique that gives a picture of the internal structure of the breast. Additional angles and magnified views are taken of suspicious areas. A mammogram may help in the diagnosis of breast problems including cancer. It is recommended a woman have a baseline mammogram at age 40 followed by a mammogram every couple of years until age 50. After 50, a woman should have a mammogram every year.

Update Date: 11/9/2007

Updated by: Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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