X-ray is a fairly common and familiar term in medicine. So what is an X-ray and what is it used for? Below are 22 answers to questions about X-ray radiation, as well as their benefits and risks.

X-rays are widely used in medicine and other fields such as aviation and space. How long-term exposure to X-rays affects health is a question that most patients are concerned about when they are asked to have X-rays of their teeth or other parts of their body.

Mammography is a technique that uses low-intensity X-rays to produce images of the breast tissue. It is used as a screening tool to detect early breast cancer in women who do not have symptoms. It can also be used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women who have symptoms such as lumps, pain, dimpling of the skin, or nipple discharge.

Breast cysts, or fluid sacs, are benign breast diseases. If the tumor is small, the patient may not need treatment but only need ultrasound for periodic monitoring.