Radiologists explain what to expect during a mammogram

Mammograms are important for detecting breast cancer early, which can lead to better treatment outcomes. Experts recommend women start annual screenings at age 40, or earlier if they have a family history of breast cancer. The procedure involves taking X-ray images of each breast, which takes less than 10 minutes. While some discomfort may occur during compression, it should not be painful. Mammograms can sometimes lead to additional tests, but only a small percentage result in cancer diagnoses. Early detection through regular screenings has significantly reduced breast cancer mortality since the 1980s.