What Is Mammography and Why It Matters: A Breast Health Guide

At Independent Physicians Medical Center (IPMC) in Northeast Philadelphia, we provide high-quality mammography screening and diagnostic services in a comfortable outpatient setting, helping patients get timely imaging close to home.

What Is a Mammogram?

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that helps doctors evaluate breast tissue for abnormal growths, masses, or changes that could indicate cancer or other conditions. The technology is specially designed so that the breast tissue can be examined from different angles with essentially low doses of radiation.

There are two main types of mammograms:

• Screening mammograms — routine exams for people without symptoms, used to catch early signs of cancer.
• Diagnostic mammograms — more detailed imaging used when symptoms are present or a previous mammogram showed something unusual.

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Why Mammograms Are Important

Mammography plays a central role in early detection of breast cancer, which is key to effective treatment. These tests can sometimes reveal changes in breast tissue years before a lump can be felt during a physical exam.

Early detection through regular screening has been shown to lower breast cancer mortality and improve outcomes. Many health organizations recommend starting routine mammography around age 40 and repeating it at regular intervals — typically every 1–2 years — based on your risk factors and doctor’s advice.

What to Expect During a Mammogram

During a mammogram:

1. You’ll stand in front of a mammography machine.
2. A trained technologist places one breast at a time between two plastic plates.
3. The plates gently compress the breast to spread the tissue and obtain a clear image.
4. Multiple X-ray views are taken from different angles.

The compression can cause brief pressure or discomfort, but the whole process typically takes about 20–30 minutes from start to finish.

After the exam, a radiologist — a doctor trained to read imaging — reviews the images and sends a report to your referring physician.

Who Should Get Mammograms?

Mammography is recommended for:

• People with no breast symptoms for routine cancer screening starting around age 40.
• People who notice breast changes such as a lump, nipple discharge, or unusual skin changes.
• Individuals with higher risk factors (such as family history) may begin screening earlier or more often, based on their doctor’s recommendation.

Advanced Mammography Options

In addition to traditional 2-D mammograms, 3-D mammography (also known as tomosynthesis) is an advanced method that captures detailed “slices” of breast tissue, offering potentially clearer views, especially in dense breast tissue.