A screening mammogram is a breast X-ray examination for women with no symptoms. The purpose is to detect tumors while they are still too small to be felt by a woman or her doctor. The examination takes just a few minutes. Two X-ray images (views) of each breast are normally taken. For some patients, for example women with larger breasts, more images may be required in order to see as much breast tissue as possible.
If there is a screening program where you live, you will be called regularly for a screening mammogram examination – usually every year or every two years, starting at age 40 or 50. You can also talk to your general practitioner or gynecologist about getting a mammogram.