Technical aspects of breast compression in mammographyBlaško, Maruša (Avtor) Kavazović, Sara (Avtor) Malek, Ines (Avtor) Rihter, Veronika (Avtor) Šubelj, Nina (Avtor) Gošnak Dahmane, Raja (Avtor) mammographybreast compressionimage qualitypatient comfortradiographerbreast anatomyBreast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women worldwide. Mammography is the primary imaging modality for early detection of malignant breast changes and plays a crucial role in reducing breast cancer mortality. Breast compression is an essential component of mammography, significantly affecting image quality, radiation dose, and patient comfort. Adequate compression reduces breast thickness, minimises tissue overlap and motion, and improves image contrast. However, it may also cause discomfort or pain, which can negatively affect patient adherence to screening programmes. This review summarises the technical aspects of breast compression in mammography and discusses its impact on image quality and patient-reported comfort. A narrative review of relevant literature was conducted, focusing on breast anatomy, compression techniques, image quality parameters, and patient experience. The findings suggest that optimal compression represents a balance between technical image optimisation and patient-centred care, highlighting the vital role of radiographers in obtaining diagnostically adequate images while minimising patient discomfort.20262026-07-29 13:28:07Znanstveno delo185231sl