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MammographySaves Lives

Six ethnically diverse middle-aged women sitting side by side, smiling and laughing together

In the U.S., breast cancer mortality decreased by 40% since 1990 thanks, in large part, to the rising use of mammography. It’s a preventative measure that works, if you use it.

More women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer than ever before. And it’s often more deadly in younger women. American College of Radiology® guidelines urge all women –– especially Black and Ashkenazi Jewish women –– to talk with their doctors about breast cancer risk by the age of 25.

Learn more about breast cancer risks

Mammography Misconceptions and Myths

The more you know, the more comfortable you are with the process.

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Breast Cancer Screening in Underserved Communities: Why are African American women and those in rural areas more likely to die from breast cancer?

ACR Recommends You

1

Talk to your doctor by age 25 about your risk

2

Ask if you should get a mammogram before age 40

3

Ask If you need other tests - like an MRI - with your mammogram

4

Get a mammogram each year starting at age 40

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Locate your nearest ACR-accredited mammography provider.

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Before You Go

What to have in mind as you get ready for your appointment

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Resources on Risk: What You Need to Know

If you’re at high risk for breast cancer, you might benefit from mammograms more than once every year. Ask your doctor for details and use these links to learn more. 

How Breast DensityMakes a Difference

Breasts are made up of a mixture of fibrous and glandular tissue and fatty tissue. Your breasts are considered dense if you have a lot of fibrous or glandular tissue but not much fat. Density may decrease with age, but there is little, if any, change in most women.

Mammogram images depicting four levels of breast density
Breast density is determined by the radiologist — the doctor who reads your mammogram. There are four categories of mammographic density. The radiologist assigns each mammogram to one of the categories. Your doctor should be able to tell you whether you have dense breasts based on where you fall on the density scale.

Pie charting depicting distribution of breast density among American women

  • 10% of women have almost entirely fatty breasts.
  • 10% have extremely dense breasts.
  • 80% are classified into one of two middle categories.

 

Having dense breast tissue may increase your risk of getting breast cancer. Dense breasts also make it more difficult for doctors to spot cancer on mammograms. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram. Lumps, both benign and cancerous, also appear white. So mammograms can be less accurate in women with dense breasts.

Yes. A mammogram is the only medical imaging screening test proven to reduce breast cancer deaths. Many cancers are seen on mammograms even if you have dense breast tissue.

In breasts that are dense, cancer can be hard to see on a mammogram. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), also called 3D mammography, provides images of the breast in “slices” from many different angles making some abnormalities easier to see. DBT increases the number of cancers seen without additional testing.

Ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help find cancers that can’t be seen on a mammogram. However, both MRI and US show more findings that are not cancer, which can result in added testing.

If you have dense breasts, please talk to your doctor. Together, you can decide which, if any, additional screening exams are right for you. If your breasts are not dense, other factors may still place you at increased risk for breast cancer — including a family history of the disease, previous chest radiation treatment for cancer and previous breast biopsies that show you are high risk.

Talk to your doctor and discuss your history. Even if you are at low risk, and have entirely fatty breasts, you should still get an annual mammogram starting at age 40.

Research Results and Official Guidelines

If you want to read the full ACR recommendations on breast cancer screening, you’ll find those here. We’ve also compiled the most significant research results to help curious patients understand the advice they’re getting. 

Guidelines for High-Risk Women
Guidelines for Average Risk Women

Physician Resources

  • Talking to Patients

    Videos, handouts and advice for communicating about breast cancer.

    See the list

  • Methods, Reporting and Resources

    A comprehensive collection of ACR information and resources on breast cancer screening.

    Read more