The mammography quality standards act (MQSA) was established in 1994 and commit all mammography facilities in the United States to be accredited by an approved body and undergo annual inspections by state or federal inspectors. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for implementing MQSA and to develop national mammography regulations.

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.