What is Breast Cancer?

Breast screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram to check the breast for signs of cancer. It can spot cancers that are too small to see or feel.

Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow in an uncontrolled way and build up to form a lump (also known as a tumour). As the cancer grows, cells can spread to other parts of the body and this can be life-threatening.

Your Screening Invitation

All women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday are invited for breast screening every 3 years. We send out first invitations to screening some time between your 50th and 53rd birthdays.

If you are aged 71 or over, you are still at risk of breast cancer. Although you will no longer receive screening invitations after your 71st birthday, you can still have breast screening every 3 years. You will need to ask your local breast screening unit for an appointment. Find your local unit on the NHS.UK website.

When you get your invitation, please read through the information carefully. If you need more information before you attend, please visit this site for further information or talk to a trusted health professional. You can also read and download the NHS Breast Screening helping women decide leaflet

Why should you be screened?

Breast screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram to check the breast for signs of cancer. It can spot cancers that are too small to see or feel.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast screening aims to detect breast cancer earlier when survival is more likely and evidence suggests that breast screening prevents around 1,300 deaths each year in the UK.

Breast cancers found by screening are generally at an early stage. Very early breast cancers are usually easier to treat, may need less treatment, and are more likely to be successfully treated. Almost all women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest possible stage in England survive their disease for at least 5 years after diagnosis.

Accessibility

Please call your breast screening unit before attending your appointment if you:

Screening for the transgender community

If you identify as a transgender (trans) man or woman, more information about your eligibility for screening can be found online here.

Breast Screening Results

You will receive a letter with your breast screening results within 2 weeks of your appointment. The results will also be sent to your GP.

Occasionally women will need another mammogram before they get their result. Sometimes technical problems mean that the mammogram is not clear enough to read. If this happens, you will be asked to have another mammogram to get a clearer picture of your breast.

Most women will have no sign of cancer

In about 96 out of every 100 women screened, the mammogram will show no sign of cancer and no further tests are needed.

Cancer can still develop between mammograms. Remember to check your breasts and tell your GP straight away if you notice any unusual changes.

Some women will need more tests

The results letter may say you need more tests because the mammogram looks abnormal. About 4 in every 100 women are asked to come back for more tests after screening.

Out of these 4 women, 1 will be found to have cancer. The rest will not have cancer and will go back to having screening invitations every 3 years.

If you are called back for more tests, you may have a breast examination, more mammograms and ultrasound scans. You may also have a biopsy, which is when a small sample is taken from your breast with a needle to be checked under a microscope. You will usually get your results within two weeks.