Mammography is a specialized, low-dose X-ray imaging technique used to visualize the internal structures of the breast, serving as the primary screening and diagnostic tool for early breast cancer detection. By compressing breast tissue between two plates to produce clear, detailed images, it can detect small tumors, cysts, and calcium deposits up to two years before they are palpable. The procedure, which is generally recommended annually for women starting at age 40, can be conventional 2D or advanced 3D (tomosynthesis) and is crucial for detecting abnormalities before symptoms appear.
