What is the reason why moly anode is used for average breast size?

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In mammography, the beam’s energy distribution is chosen to maximize contrast for soft-tissue at the thickness typical of an average breast. A molybdenum target produces X-rays largely through characteristic radiation—the photons emitted at specific, relatively low energies when inner-shell electrons are knocked out and electrons drop to fill the vacancies. Those discrete, low-energy photons are well absorbed by glandular tissue while still penetrating enough to form an image, creating strong contrast between different soft tissues at the usual low tube voltage used for average-size breasts. This spectral advantage is why a molybdenum anode is preferred for average breast size. Bremsstrahlung (the continuous spectrum) is present but does not provide the same tissue-contrast optimization at those settings, and cost or speed are not the primary factors here.