Mammography in younger women.

Breast imaging is not frequently performed in women aged 35 years or younger for several reasons. Approximately half of the radiographic examinations of a breast symptom give normal results because the expected density of the breast in younger women may obscure abnormalities. Results from biopsies performed subsequent to positive mammogram findings confirm the predominance of benign lesions; cancers are rarely observed. After reviewing the main breast diseases that occur in the 20- to 35-year-old age group, we evaluated the accuracy of mammography in diagnosing malignancy, and attempted to summarize guidelines for breast imaging in young women, whose breasts are quite sensitive to radiation.