What Is a Mammogram and How Is It Done?

Jennifer Harvey, M.D., Director, Breast Imaging; Co-Director, Breast Program, University of Virginia
October 4, 2007

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Question: What is a mammogram and how is it done?

Dr. Jennifer Harvey answers the question: 'What Is a Mammogram?'

Answer: Well, a mammogram is two X-rays of each breast. We put the breast in compression. So, we compress the breast from top to bottom, and then from the sides. And then we give a very small X-ray dose to the breast, and those X-rays are detected either by film or a digital detector to make an X-ray picture of the breast.

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