NHS breast screening

Breast screening, also known as a mammogram, is a special x-ray of the breast. It’s free on the NHS for women aged 50 and over. It usually takes place at a nearby health centre, hospital or mobile screening unit. All NHS breast screening units are staffed by women.

For most women, screening will show that they don’t have breast cancer and, after their first screening, most women see it as another routine health check.

Your first invitation to attend breast screening will arrive between your 50th and 53rd birthday and will be sent from your local NHS Breast Screening Service. You’ll continue to receive invitations to breast screening every three years until you reach 70. Thereafter, you can make your own appointments through your doctor or local breast screening unit.

Changes to the screening age are currently being tested. Women in some areas of England may receive an invitation from age 47 and up to age 73.

To help you to make a choice about attending breast screening, we suggest that you read all the information sent with your invitation.

Breast screening can pick up changes to the breast at a very early stage – even before you might see or feel anything. If there is something there, the sooner it is found, the better the chance that you will be successfully treated.

However, there are some downsides or risks to screening. For example, a mammogram can occasionally show up an abnormality which later turns out not to be breast cancer, causing further tests and undue worry. (This is known as a ‘false positive’.)

To learn more about the pros and cons of screening, see the websites of the different UK screening services (below).

Whether or not you attend breast screening, it’s important to be breast aware.

Breast screening can sometimes feel uncomfortable or painful – especially the first time. However, it should not cause prolonged pain and you will always be treated respectfully and sensitively.

You can take a friend or family member with you, if you would like to or need to. Many screening units are designated as women-only – please check with your local screening service.

If the appointment that you are offered for screening doesn’t suit you, just contact your local screening service. Information on how to re-arrange your appointment and contact details will be on your invitation letter.

In response to recent debate about the pros and cons of breast screening, the Department of Health in England has announced that an independent review of the evidence that underpins breast screening will take place. The leaflet on the NHS Breast Screening Programme in England will also be updated. We hope this review will mean women across the UK are reassured that NHS breast screening is based on the best available evidence and the information women receive is accurate and balanced.

Read more:
• Our news story on the debate
• Cancer Research UK's information on the screening review

Breast Test Wales
Organises NHS breast screening in Wales.
www.screeningservices.org.uk/btw

NHS Cancer Screening Programme
Organises NHS screening for breast, cervical and bowel cancer in England.
www.cancerscreening.org.uk/breastscreen

NI Cancer Screening Programmes
Organises NHS screening for breast, cervical and bowel cancer in Northern Ireland.
www.cancerscreening.hscni.net

Scottish Breast Screening programme
Organises the NHS breast screening in Scotland.
www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/services/screening/breastscreening

This web page is currently under review.