Mammograms are taken during a mammography exam. There are two kinds ofmammography exams-screening and diagnostic.

A screening mammogram is a quick, easy way to detect breast cancer early,when treatment is more effective and survival is high. Usually two x-raypictures are taken of each breast. A physician trained to read x-raypictures-a radiologist-examines them later.

It is generally agreed that screening mammography decreases deaths frombreast cancer in women 50 and over. There is a range of opinion about thevalue of screening mammography for women under 50.

Have a screening mammogram as often as your doctor or other health careprovider suggests. A screening mammogram often can show breast changes likelumps long before they can be felt.

A diagnostic mammogram is used if there may be a problem. It is also used ifit is hard to get a good picture because of special circumstances (forinstance, in women with breast implants). Diagnostic mammography takes alittle longer than screening mammography because more x-ray pictures usuallyare taken. A radiologist may check the x-ray pictures while you wait.