X-ray mammography and diaphanography in screening for breast cancer.

Modern low-dose dedicated x-ray mammography has been demonstrated in large clinical trials to have high efficacy in the detection of occult breast malignancy. Such early detection results in decreased fatality rates. A theoretical risk of breast cancer induced from diagnostic ionizing radiation has not been proven for the low doses now used in mammographic techniques. High accuracy can be achieved in the mammographic evaluation of breast lesions. In contrast, nonionizing transillumination of the breast, or diaphanography, remains an investigational approach to the evaluation of breast disease and warrants further controlled study before its widespread clinical application.