Breast X-Rays

What are X-rays of the Breast?

X-rays are a common imaging test that uses small amounts of high-energy electromagnetic radiation to produce images for doctors to view the inside of the body. A more specialized and common version of a breast xray is called a mammogram. Mammography is the process of using low-energy X-rays to examine the human breast.

In both cases, X-rays pass through skin and soft tissue mostly, but do not pass through bone or metal easily. As different tissues in the body absorb different amounts of radiation, the images will show different shades of black and white.

Reasons for a Breast X-Ray:

X-rays are used for a multitude of reasons. A physician may order an X-ray to check for certain cancers in different parts of the body by detecting abnormal tumors, growths or lumps.

A breast X-ray is used to view the area of the body where a patient is experiencing pain, swelling, or other abnormalities that require an internal view of the organs. The X-ray can help a physician find a cause for the problems occurring.

X-rays can be used to diagnose a disease, monitor the progression of the disease, determine a treatment plan, and see the effect of a treatment plan.

Physicians use X-rays to locate foreign objects within the body and to guide them in setting broken bones.

A Breast X-Ray may help diagnose (find):

An X-ray of the breast can detect breast tumors and diagnose breast cancer.

Mammograms use X-rays to look for breast cancer.