A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It can be done to screen for breast cancer. It can also be done to check lumps and other changes in the breast. It can show tumors or abnormal areas that are too small for you or your doctor to feel.
Types of mammograms include:
- Standard mammogram. It puts images of the breast on film. This test is used less often than other types of mammograms.
- Digital mammogram (DM). This stores images of the breast in a computer file. X-rays of the breast are taken from at least two angles.
- 3D mammogram (also called digital breast tomosynthesis, or DBT). This uses X-rays from many angles to make a 3D image of the breast.
