Breast screening aims to find breast cancer early.
As the likelihood of getting breast cancer increases with age, all women aged from 50 to their 71st birthday who are registered with a GP are automatically invited for breast cancer screening every 3 years through a letter.
You may be eligible for breast screening before the age of 50 if you have a very high risk of developing breast cancer.
If you are 71 or over, you will stop receiving screening invitations. But you can still ask to have breast screening – please visit the NHS breast cancer screening website to find the nearest breast screening units in your area.
If you have not received a letter for an appointment for your screening, please contact your GP.
In the meantime, if you are worried about breast cancer or have symptoms such as a lump or an area of thickened tissue in a breast, notice that your breasts look or feel different from what is normal for you do not wait, arrange an appointment to see a GP.
What happens during breast screening?
Breast screening involves having an X-ray (mammogram) at a special clinic or mobile breast screening unit. This is done by a female health practitioner.
Your breasts will be X-rayed 1 at a time.
The breast is placed on the X-ray machine and gently but firmly compressed with a clear plate.
Two X-rays are taken of each breast at different angles.
Please view the video on the following link for more information about ‘what happens during breast screening’:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-screening
Results
The results of the mammogram will be sent to you and your GP within 2 weeks after your appointment.
After screening you may be called back for further assessment or due to the first mammogram being unclear.
For more information on breast cancer screening please visit:
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