Abstract: In mammographic examinations, the breast being examined is compressed with increasing force between a pressure plate and a support platform. A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating an optimal compression pressure which is adapted to the size of the breast being examined, so as to insure reliably high image quality. In the method and apparatus, the compression pressure of the pressure plate against the breast is controlled so that the increase in compression force is stopped when a change in breast thickness reaches a predetermined value. The appartus includes a measuring device for establishing the distance between the pressure plate and the support platform, thereby establishing the thickness of the breast as the compression force increases, and a control device which stops the increase in the force of compression when the change in this distance reaches a predetermined value.