Xeromammography in screening for breast cancer.

Xeromammography is a safe, low-dose type of breast x-ray study that often enables us to detect breast cancer before it is palpable and before it has metastasized. Xeromammographic identification of parenchymal pattern makes possible determination of risk of breast cancer and of appropriate intervals for follow-up mammographic examination. The real hazard is not in performing, but in omitting, xeromammography--a potentially lifesaving examination.