This involves a special X-Ray using a machine which flattens and compresses the breast between two plates.

The resulting image displays the soft tissue of the breasts, showing any suspicious areas usually as small dots of calcium deposits, or areas of opacity. The above mammogram has an obvious large cancer (white) with small dots of microcalcification to the right of it. The area can be precisely mapped and subsequently biopsied with a fine needle aspirate (FNA), or in some cases removed at an operation. An "ultrasound" examination is usually performed also.

Sometimes a guiding wire is inserted by a radiologist, using these imaging techniques.This is called a hookwire or D-wire because it has a small bend to keep it in place. The surgeon then follows this wire down to the lesion or "lump", and removes it. This is confirmed by an X-ray and an ultrasound of the specimen, which show the areas of micro-calcification - then the whole specimen is examined under the microscope by the pathologist.