Mammograms & Other Types of Breast Exams

Most breast cancers happen in people who were assigned female at birth. But people of all genders can get breast cancer, including a transgender man or a nonbinary person. People assigned male at birth also can get breast cancer.

Many women have a clinical breast exam each year as part of routine check-ups. Your healthcare provider will examine your breasts and the areas around them. They’re looking for anything abnormal (not normal), such as lumps or changes in texture. 

These exams are often enough for most women, up until age 40. Learn more about breast cancer screening.

If there are changes to your breast, your care team often will recommend exams to learn more. The most common breast exams are mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, and physical exams.

Which type of breast exam is best for you depends on a few things. They include your age, risk factors, and your personal preferences. This page is a good place to learn more. 

A mammogram, also called mammography, uses low-dose X-rays to take pictures of your breast tissue. We use these images to check for signs of breast cancer.  

During a mammogram, you stand in front of the X-ray machine. Your breast is placed between two plastic plates that flatten the breast for the picture.

At MSK, anyone who needs a mammogram will get tomosynthesis (toh-moh-SIN-thah-sis), also called 3D mammography. This technology helps us see breast tissue and tumors more clearly. It’s helpful for people who have dense breasts. The pictures it takes are so detailed that most people will not need to come back for more images. 

If something does not look right, your healthcare provider will talk with you about tests to learn more. They can include ultrasound, an MRI, or a biopsy. Learn more about breast cancer diagnosis. 

Breast tomosynthesis (toh-moh-SIN-thah-sis) is also called 3D mammography. This kind of mammogram takes images of the breast from many angles. Together, the pictures make a 3D image of breast tissue. 

This method often is helpful if you have dense breasts. 

Learn about how a 3D mammogram works. 

MSK also offers contrast-enhanced mammography. This type of mammography uses iodinated contrast to show the blood flow in your breast. Tumors usually have more blood flow than normal tissue and absorb more dye than healthy tissue. Tumors show clearly on the images.  

Contrast-enhanced mammography can show breast tumors just like a breast MRI can. They’re a good option for people who cannot have an MRI, or who have dense breasts. They’re also an option for people at higher risk of getting breast cancer. 

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans make detailed 3D images of your breast. These images show us the type, size, and location of tumors.

An MRI scan is done using radio waves, a powerful magnet, and a computer. The machine that holds the magnet and makes the radio waves is called an MRI scanner. It’s big and has a hole in the middle. During the MRI, you lie on a table that slides into the scanner. 

The scanner takes a series of pictures that each show a thin slice of your breast. The computer puts the pictures together to make a 3D image.

During an MRI test, you may have fluids injected that can help make better images of the inside of the breast.

Research shows that having regular mammograms along with a breast MRI may be better for people at high risk for breast cancer.