How does compression help reduce radiation exposure to the breast?

Compression during mammography plays a crucial role in reducing radiation exposure to the breast by decreasing breast thickness. When the breast is compressed, the overall thickness of the tissue being imaged is reduced. Thinner tissue means that fewer atoms are in the path of the x-ray beam, which allows for more efficient imaging and results in a lower amount of radiation needed to produce a clear image.

By minimizing the thickness of the breast, compression not only helps to lower the dose of radiation but also improves the quality of the mammogram. This is because thinner tissue allows for better visualization of structures and can reduce the likelihood of overlapping tissues that may obscure or mimic abnormalities.

Additionally, compression can lead to improved separation of breast tissue, which helps in producing sharper images, thereby enhancing the ability to detect any potential issues. Overall, compression is a key technique in diagnostic mammography that significantly contributes to both patient safety and diagnostic efficacy.