NHS breast screening

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. It’s important that you attend. 

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.

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

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

Breast screening can sometimes feel a little uncomfortable or awkward – especially the first time – but you will always be treated respectfully and sensitively.

You can take a female friend or family member with you, if you would like to or need to.

If the appointment that you’re 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.

All x-rays involve radiation but with mammograms the dose is very low - about the same as you would receive on a flight from London to Australia and back. The benefits of early detection of breast cancer far outweigh any risks posed by the screening.

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. However, it’s still important to be breast aware between your screening appointments.

For more information visit the NHS Breast Screening Programme website.