Website of the UK government

Arranging a breast screen

Women aged 50 to 70, who are registered with a GP, are invited for breast screening every three years. Your local screening centre or primary care trust should contact you and arrange an appointment before your 53rd birthday.

Women aged over 70 are not routinely invited for breast screening, but are still entitled to breast screening and can call their local breast screening unit to request screening every three years.

What's involved

Breast screening is a way of detecting breast cancer at a very early stage. The first step involves an x-ray of each breast – a mammogram – which is taken while carefully compressing the breast. The mammogram can detect small changes in breast tissue which may indicate cancers that are too small to be felt either by the woman herself or by a doctor.

According to Mrs Jean Sale: "When I was examined by mammogram at the hospital, the lump could not be seen or felt and must have been very deep, because it only showed up on the ultrasound. I was operated on very quickly after the lump was detected."

Six months later, Jean had another mammogram and check up which turned out to be fine. "I have to go back in another six months time. I was quite worried at first but now I feel very relieved knowing it's all cleared."

• Breast screening information from the NHS Opens new window

Advice and support

There are a number of organisations providing information and support for women with breast cancer or other breast related problems.

Breast Cancer Care offers a free help, information and support service. Call the free helpline on 0808 800 6000 or visit the website.

In Scotland, you can contact your local NHS Board or GP surgery for details of your nearest breast screening centre, or contact 0131 551 8836 or visit the website.

• Breast Cancer Care Opens new window
• Breast screening in Scotland Opens new window

More useful links

• Facts about breast cancer from Breast Cancer Care Opens new window
• Cancer Research UK Breast Cancer Awareness Opens new window