Breast screening, also known as mammographic screening, is the process of looking for breast cancer in a population of women who have no symptoms, such as a lump or nipple discharge, of breast cancer.
 
A mammogram is an x-ray picture that enables doctors to see inside the breast. A mammogram will only show doctors what the inside of a breast looks like at the time it is taken. For this reason, it is very important to have a regular screening mammogram so that any unusual changes to the breast can be found at an early stage. BreastScreen NSW recommends screening mammograms every two years for women aged over 50 years. All mammograms are free for women over 40 years of age at BreastScreen NSW.
 
At BreastScreen NSW a female radiographer carefully and quickly takes two x-rays of each breast. Then two specially trained doctors (radiologists) will independely examine the x-rays. Results of the screening mammogram are mailed to the woman and to their doctor if the woman consents.
 
Some women find a mammogram uncomfortable but the discomfort usually only lasts while the breast is compressed (approximately 10 seconds). Compression of the breast during a mammogram is important so that the clearest possible picture can be taken, using the least amount of radiation.