Tests and scans
A mammogram is an x-ray of your breasts. X-rays use high energy rays to take pictures of the inside of your body.
You might have mammograms:
as part of the breast cancer screening programme
to check for cancer if you have symptoms that could be due to breast cancer. This is called a diagnostic mammogram
The health professionals who take mammograms are called mammographers. The mammogram itself usually only takes a few minutes, but the appointment may last about 30 minutes.
Mammograms for breast screening can help to find breast cancer early when they are too small to see or feel.
The NHS breast screening programme invites all women aged between 50 and 70 for screening every 3 years. You need to be registered with a GP to receive the invitations.
Find out more about breast screening
If you are having a mammogram as part of the breast cancer screening programme, you may have it in a mobile unit or in a hospital. Some units are also based in shopping centres.
You usually have mammograms to check for breast cancer in the x-ray department or a specialist breast clinic. This is usually at your local hospital.
This is a detailed type of mammogram that is available in some hospitals. It takes more x-rays than a standard mammogram. A computer uses these to create a 3-dimensional (3D) image of the breast. This is also called digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT).
A CESM is a type of mammogram where you have an injection of a dye (contrast medium) into a vein of your arm before taking x-ray images of the breast. This type of mammogram is available in some hospitals.
A mammogram is a very safe test, but with any tests, there are possible risks.
With each mammogram, there is a small amount of radiation exposure from the x-rays. But the amount of radiation is very small.
X-rays can very rarely cause cancer. Having mammograms every 3 years for 20 years very slightly increases the chance of getting cancer over a woman’s lifetime.
It is very important to tell the mammographer if you think you may be pregnant, as the x-rays could affect your developing baby.
Screening doesn't always find a cancer that is there. So some people with breast cancer will be missed. This is called a false negative result.
For some, a mammogram may pick up something even though they don't have breast cancer. This is called a false positive result and can lead to anxiety and further tests such as a breast biopsy.
Find out more about the risks and benefits of breast screening
"I'm so pleased I went for my routine mammogram."
Read Angela's story about her diagnosis, support and life after cancer
Last reviewed: 03 May 2023
Next review due: 03 May 2026
You have a number of tests to check for breast cancer. This includes a breast examination, a mammogram, a biopsy and scans.
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the breast tissue. Find out about who gets breast cancer and where it starts.
Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or thickening in the breast. Find out more about this and other possible symptoms and when you should see your GP.
Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early, when they have the best chance of being successfully treated. Find out about the UK breast screening programme, who has screening, and how you have it.
A biopsy means having a sample of breast tissue taken to look at under the microscope. There are different types of breast biopsy. The most common type is a needle biopsy.
Find out about breast cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and how to cope with the effects on your life and relationships.
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