Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy in the USA and second only to lung malignancy in cancer mortality. The only screening modality that effectively detects early breast cancer and decreases mortality is mammography. Because many females turn to obstetrician gynecologists for breast cancer screening, an understanding of the benefits and limitations of mammography and the breast imaging reporting and data system is imperative. Mammography remains the most cost effective and sensitive tool for early detection.