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What is breast screening?
Breast Screening (mammography) is an x-ray examination of the breasts. It can show breast cancers at an early stage, when they are too small for you or your doctor to see or feel.
A mammogram takes a few minutes and involves a tiny dose of radiation, so the risk to your health is very small.
Your whole visit to the Breast Screening unit should take about half an hour.
Why do I need breast screening?
One in eight women will develop breast cancer at some time in their life.
Breast cancer is more common in women over 50. Breast screening can help to find small changes in the breast before there are any other signs or symptoms. If changes are found at an early stage, there is a good chance of a successful recovery.
Should all women have breast screening?
We invite all women aged between 50 and 70 years for breast screening every three years.
Whatever age you are, if you are ever worried about any breast problem, please contact your doctor who may refer you for a specialist opinion if necessary.
What is the NHS Breast Screening Programme?
The programme makes sure that if you are aged between 50 and 70 you will be invited for breast screening. We will get your name from your health authority record. This record is made up from your doctor’s list so it is important that your doctor always has your correct name and address. In most parts of the country we will invite doctor’s practices for screening in turn. So you will not necessarily get your invitation in the year that you turn 50. As long as you are registered with a doctor, we will invite you for breast screening before your 53rd birthday.
Where do I go for breast screening?
The screening centre may be in a hospital or in a mobile unit near to where you live.
What exactly happens during the breast screening?
When you arrive, feel free to ask any questions you have about breast screening.
When you have undressed and are ready and comfortable, a specialist female member of the screening staff will explain mammography to you and ask you a few questions. She will put your breasts, one at a time, between two special plates and take the x-rays.
Mammography takes a few minutes and your breasts are only pressed between the two plates for a few seconds each. There is no evidence that this procedure harms the breast.
Further Information
Visit our Breast Screening service page for further information.
