Diaphanography is a noninvasive breast imaging technique used in diagnosis of breast disease. The breast is illuminated with low intensity light and the transmission pattern of red and near-infrared radiation is detected. After amplification and reconstruction, the images are displayed on a monitor.
Results from diaphanography tend to show lower sensitivities and specificities than are found in diagnostic mammography studies. Light scanning (diaphanography and transillumination) is not recommended for screening or diagnostic evaluation of the breast.

Breast imaging methods include mammography (mammogram), ultrasound, breast MRI, positron emission tomography, xeromammography, diaphanography and thermography.
Mammography is widely used as a screening method and diagnostic tool for breast cancer detection or evaluation of breast disease. Digital mammography takes multiple thin digital image 'slices' through the breast, which provides higher potential to see a small mass within dense tissue. The mammography quality standards act guarantees a high image quality.
Breast ultrasound (also called ultrasonography) should only be used as an additional imaging modality to evaluate specific breast abnormalities, especially to differentiate cystic from solid masses. Ultrasound is also used to guide needle breast biopsies.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for breast MRI screening in cases of high cancer risk. In addition, multifocal breast cancer can be missed by standard practice mammography and can be early detected with breast MRI.